Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Iceland
Iceland: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 2.6% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Iceland, 1997–2023
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iceland is 2.6%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 1.5% on the previous year and up 56.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iceland peaked at 2.9% in 2006 and was at its lowest, 1.7%, in 2013.
That places Iceland 13th out of 116 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Iceland, year by year
| 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% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 2.6% is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.5%, 1.8× the median. (54 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 2.6% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1.4%, 1.9× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
More science & technology data for Iceland
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 120.93 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.23 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 475,724 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 4.67 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.4503 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.05 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 715.97 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0019 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iceland?
- Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iceland was 2.6% in 2023, according to UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 2.9% in 2006.
- What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.7% in 2013.
- How does Iceland rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
- Iceland ranks 13th out of 116 countries with data for 2023.
- Is research & development spending as a share of gdp 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 UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Research & development spending as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Includes basic research, applied research, and experimental development.