Research and development expenditure in Iceland

Iceland: Research and development expenditure was 2.6% in 2023. ▬ Flat

Latest (2023)
2.6%
Change on year
up 1.5%
World rank
13th
of 116 countries
All-time high
2.9%
in 2006
All-time low
1.7%
in 2013
Years of data
24
1997–2023

Research and development expenditure in Iceland, 1997–2023

01231997201020231997: 1.8 % of GDP1998: 2 % of GDP1999: 2.2 % of GDP2000: 2.6 % of GDP2001: 2.8 % of GDP2002: 2.8 % of GDP2003: 2.7 % of GDP2005: 2.7 % of GDP2006: 2.9 % of GDP2007: 2.5 % of GDP2008: 2.5 % of GDP2009: 2.6 % of GDP2011: 2.4 % of GDP2013: 1.7 % of GDP2014: 1.9 % of GDP2015: 2.2 % of GDP2016: 2.1 % of GDP2017: 2.1 % of GDP2018: 2 % of GDP2019: 2.3 % of GDP2020: 2.5 % of GDP2021: 2.8 % of GDP2022: 2.6 % of GDP2023: 2.6 % of GDP

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

Analysis

In 2023, research and development expenditure in Iceland stood at 2.6%.

The figure is up 1.5% on the previous year and up 56.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research and development expenditure in Iceland peaked at 2.9% in 2006 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 2013.

Iceland ranks 13th of 116 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Research and development expenditure in Iceland, year by year

Annual values for Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) in Iceland, 1997 to 2023.
Year % of GDP Change
1997 1.8%
1998 2.0% +8.5%
1999 2.2% +14.6%
2000 2.6% +15.1%
2001 2.8% +10.4%
2002 2.8% -0.7%
2003 2.7% -4.1%
2005 2.7% -1.0%
2006 2.9% +6.5%
2007 2.5% -11.2%
2008 2.5% -2.7%
2009 2.6% +5.4%
2011 2.4% -7.4%
2013 1.7% -29.6%
2014 1.9% +14.4%
2015 2.2% +12.7%
2016 2.1% -3.3%
2017 2.1% -1.3%
2018 2.0% -4.0%
2019 2.3% +17.0%
2020 2.5% +6.2%
2021 2.8% +11.9%
2022 2.6% -6.5%
2023 2.6% +1.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 2.0% 1.8% 2.2% 3
2000s 2.7% 2.5% 2.9% 9
2010s 2.1% 1.7% 2.4% 8
2020s 2.6% 2.5% 2.8% 4

Countries ranked near Iceland

  1. 10 Finland 3.1% compare
  2. 11 Denmark 3.0% compare
  3. 12 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2.7% compare
  4. 14 China 2.6% compare
  5. 15 Netherlands 2.3% compare
  6. 16 France 2.2% compare

See the full ranking of 147 places →

More science & technology data for Iceland

All data for Iceland →

Frequently asked questions

What is research and development expenditure in Iceland?
Research and development expenditure in Iceland was 2.6% in 2023, according to Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest research and development expenditure recorded in Iceland?
The highest recorded value was 2.9% in 2006.
What is the lowest research and development expenditure recorded in Iceland?
The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 2013.
How does Iceland rank for research and development expenditure?
Iceland ranks 13th out of 116 countries with data for 2023.
Is research and development expenditure rising or falling in Iceland?
Over the last ten years it is up 56.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Iceland 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 Iceland. Statizoid, drawing on Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 22 August 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/research-and-development-expenditure-percent-of-gdp/iceland/

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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.