Research and development expenditure in United States
United States: Research and development expenditure was 3.4% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Research and development expenditure in United States, 1996–2023
Source: Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for research and development expenditure in United States is 3.4%, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.2% on the previous year and up 27.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research and development expenditure in United States peaked at 3.5% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 2.5%, in 1996.
United States ranks 4th of 116 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 28 years of available data.
Research and development expenditure in United States, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 2.5% | — |
| 1997 | 2.5% | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 2.5% | +0.8% |
| 1999 | 2.5% | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 2.6% | +3.0% |
| 2001 | 2.6% | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 2.5% | -3.4% |
| 2003 | 2.6% | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 2.5% | -2.5% |
| 2005 | 2.5% | +0.6% |
| 2006 | 2.5% | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 2.6% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | 2.7% | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 2.8% | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 2.7% | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 2.7% | +0.9% |
| 2012 | 2.7% | -2.4% |
| 2013 | 2.7% | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 2.7% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 2.8% | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 2.8% | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 2.9% | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 3.0% | +3.7% |
| 2019 | 3.1% | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 3.4% | +8.7% |
| 2021 | 3.5% | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 3.5% | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 3.4% | -1.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.5% | 2.5% | 2.5% | 4 |
| 2000s | 2.6% | 2.5% | 2.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.8% | 2.7% | 3.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.5% | 3.4% | 3.5% | 4 |
Countries ranked near United States
More science & technology data for United States
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- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 113.19 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.15 units per person (2024)
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- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 0.693 % change on previous year (2024)
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- Scientific and technical journal articles 430,843 (2023)
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Frequently asked questions
- What is research and development expenditure in United States?
- Research and development expenditure in United States was 3.4% 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 3.5% in 2022.
- What is the lowest research and development expenditure recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.5% in 1996.
- How does United States rank for research and development expenditure?
- United States ranks 4th out of 116 countries with data for 2023.
- Is research and development expenditure rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United States 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.