Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Australia
Australia: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP was 1.9% in 2021. ▬ Flat
Latest (2021)
1.9%
Change on year
up 1.6%
World rank
17th
of 106 countries
All-time high
2.4%
in 2008
All-time low
1.6%
in 2000
Years of data
12
2000–2021
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Australia, 2000–2021
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
Australia recorded 1.9% for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in 2021.
That represents a change of up 1.6% on the previous year and down 16.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Australia peaked at 2.4% in 2008 and was at its lowest, 1.6%, in 2000.
That places Australia 17th out of 106 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Australia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1.6% | — |
| 2002 | 1.7% | +11.1% |
| 2004 | 1.8% | +5.8% |
| 2006 | 2.2% | +17.9% |
| 2008 | 2.4% | +10.1% |
| 2010 | 2.4% | -1.2% |
| 2011 | 2.2% | -5.7% |
| 2013 | 2.2% | -2.6% |
| 2015 | 1.9% | -11.8% |
| 2017 | 1.9% | -2.0% |
| 2019 | 1.8% | -2.8% |
| 2021 | 1.9% | +1.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2.4% | 5 |
| 2010s | 2.1% | 1.8% | 2.4% | 6 |
| 2020s | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More economy & growth data for Australia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.36 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.26 Percent per annum (2029)
- Manufacturing, value added (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.0532 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (current US$), per capita 3,463 current US$ per person (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (current LCU), per unit of GDP 0.0822 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (current LCU), per capita 5,351 current LCU per person (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (constant 2015 US$), per unit of GDP 0.046 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (constant 2015 US$), per capita 2,994 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Manufacturing, value added (constant LCU), per capita 5,104 constant LCU per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), annual -4.23 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Australia?
- Research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Australia was 1.9% in 2021, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 2.4% in 2008.
- What is the lowest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.6% in 2000.
- How does Australia rank for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
- Australia ranks 17th out of 106 countries with data for 2021.
- Is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 12 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).