Research and development expenditure in Canada

Canada: Research and development expenditure was 1.8% in 2024. β–¬ Flat

Latest (2024)
1.8%
Change on year
down 1.1%
World rank
23rd
of 116 countries
All-time high
2.0%
in 2001
All-time low
1.6%
in 1996
Years of data
29
1996–2024

Research and development expenditure in Canada, 1996–2024

00.511.521996201020241996: 1.6 % of GDP1997: 1.6 % of GDP1998: 1.7 % of GDP1999: 1.7 % of GDP2000: 1.9 % of GDP2001: 2 % of GDP2002: 2 % of GDP2003: 2 % of GDP2004: 2 % of GDP2005: 2 % of GDP2006: 1.9 % of GDP2007: 1.9 % of GDP2008: 1.9 % of GDP2009: 1.9 % of GDP2010: 1.8 % of GDP2011: 1.8 % of GDP2012: 1.8 % of GDP2013: 1.7 % of GDP2014: 1.7 % of GDP2015: 1.7 % of GDP2016: 1.7 % of GDP2017: 1.7 % of GDP2018: 1.7 % of GDP2019: 1.8 % of GDP2020: 1.9 % of GDP2021: 1.9 % of GDP2022: 1.8 % of GDP2023: 1.8 % of GDP2024: 1.8 % of GDP

Source: Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of GDP.

Analysis

In 2024, research and development expenditure in Canada stood at 1.8%.

The figure is down 1.1% on the previous year and up 4.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research and development expenditure in Canada peaked at 2.0% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 1.6%, in 1996.

Canada ranks 23rd of 116 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 1.7% 1.6% 1.7% 4
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

  1. 20 Estonia 1.8% compare
  2. 21 Czechia 1.8% compare
  3. 22 Singapore 1.8% compare
  4. 24 Portugal 1.7% compare
  5. 25 Ireland 1.6% compare
  6. 26 Poland 1.6% compare

See the full ranking of 147 places β†’

More science & technology data for Canada

All data for Canada β†’

Frequently asked questions

What is research and development expenditure in Canada?
Research and development expenditure in Canada was 1.8% in 2024, according to Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest research and development expenditure recorded in Canada?
The highest recorded value was 2.0% in 2001.
What is the lowest research and development expenditure recorded in Canada?
The lowest recorded value was 1.6% in 1996.
How does Canada rank for research and development expenditure?
Canada ranks 23rd out of 116 countries with data for 2024.
Is research and development expenditure rising or falling in Canada?
Over the last ten years it is up 4.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Canada data come from?
The figures come from Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Research and development expenditure (% of GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Research and development expenditure in Canada. Statizoid, drawing on Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 19 August 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/research-and-development-expenditure-percent-of-gdp/canada/

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About this data

Indicator
Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)
Unit
% of GDP
Source
Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
147 places, 3,092 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.