Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Canada
Canada: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP was 1.8% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Canada, 2000–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Canada is 1.8%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 1.1% on the previous year and up 4.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Canada peaked at 2.0% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 2017.
That places Canada 23rd out of 106 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 25 years of available data.
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Canada, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1.9% | — |
| 2001 | 2.0% | +8.8% |
| 2002 | 2.0% | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 2.0% | -0.2% |
| 2004 | 2.0% | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 2.0% | -1.3% |
| 2006 | 1.9% | -1.4% |
| 2007 | 1.9% | -2.0% |
| 2008 | 1.9% | -2.5% |
| 2009 | 1.9% | +3.3% |
| 2010 | 1.8% | -4.8% |
| 2011 | 1.8% | -2.1% |
| 2012 | 1.8% | -0.8% |
| 2013 | 1.7% | -3.8% |
| 2014 | 1.7% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 1.7% | -1.2% |
| 2016 | 1.7% | +2.1% |
| 2017 | 1.7% | -2.4% |
| 2018 | 1.7% | +3.0% |
| 2019 | 1.8% | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 1.9% | +10.2% |
| 2021 | 1.9% | -3.3% |
| 2022 | 1.8% | -3.1% |
| 2023 | 1.8% | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 1.8% | -1.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 1.9% | 1.9% | 2.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.7% | 1.7% | 1.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More economy & growth data for Canada
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.8812 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.66 Percent per annum (2029)
- Manufacturing, value added (constant LCU), per capita 5,089 constant LCU per person (2025)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), annual 16.22 % change on previous year (2022)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), per 0.2735 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2022)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current US$), per 15,452 current US$ per person (2022)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), annual 20.64 % change on previous year (2022)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), per 0.356 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2022)
- Industry (including construction), value added (current LCU), per 20,112 current LCU per person (2022)
- Industry (including construction), value added (constant 2015 US$) 1.31 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Canada?
- Research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Canada was 1.8% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 2.0% in 2001.
- What is the lowest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 2017.
- How does Canada rank for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
- Canada ranks 23rd out of 106 countries with data for 2024.
- Is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Canada 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.
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