Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) in Canada
Canada: Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) was 1.8% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Research and development expenditure in Canada, 1996–2024
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.
Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) in Canada, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1.6% | — |
| 1997 | 1.6% | +0.4% |
| 1998 | 1.7% | +6.0% |
| 1999 | 1.7% | +2.3% |
| 2000 | 1.9% | +6.2% |
| 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% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 1.8% is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.5%, 1.2× the median. (54 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
More science & technology data for Canada
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- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 94.11 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.9064 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 37.40 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 4.21 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.0464 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.08 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 31,070 (2024)
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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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About this data
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.