Belgium vs Germany: Research & development spending as a share of GDP

Belgium

3.3%

in 2023

Germany

3.2%

in 2023

Belgium rank

6th

Germany rank

9th

Research & development spending as a share of GDP over time

Belgium currently reports 3.3% against 3.2% in Germany, a difference of 0.1%.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 28 shared years of data; in 1996 it was Germany ahead.

Belgium ranks 6th and Germany ranks 9th of 116 countries.

Indicator: Research & development spending as a share of GDP
Unit: % of GDP
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 116 places, 2,375 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed: 07 August 2026

Includes basic research, applied research, and experimental development.