Northern America vs Sweden: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP

Northern America
3.3%
in 2023
Sweden
3.6%
in 2023
Northern America rank
2nd
Sweden rank
4th

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP over time

  • Northern America
  • Sweden
01234200020112023

How they compare

Sweden currently reports 3.6% against 3.3% in Northern America, a difference of 0.3%.

That makes Sweden's figure about 1.1 times Northern America's.

Across all 22 years both countries report, Sweden has been ahead every year.

Northern America ranks 2nd and Sweden ranks 4th of 22 groups.

Sweden has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Northern America Sweden Difference Ahead
2000s 2.6% 3.5% 0.9% Sweden
2010s 2.7% 3.3% 0.5% Sweden
2020s 3.3% 3.5% 0.2% Sweden

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp, Northern America or Sweden?
Sweden, at 3.6% against 3.3% in Northern America as of 2023.
What is the difference in research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp between Northern America and Sweden?
0.3%, with Sweden ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Northern America and Sweden?
22 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2023.
How do Northern America and Sweden rank globally for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
Northern America ranks 2nd and Sweden ranks 4th of 22 groups.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Northern America vs Sweden: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/compare/research-and-development-expenditure-as-a-proportion-of-gdp-percent/northern-america/sweden/

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About this data

Indicator
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
143 places, 2,753 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed