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.
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
- Scientific and technical journal articles 715.97 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 475,724 (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 120.93 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 120.93 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 2 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 98.2% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 34 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 2.6% (2023)
- Human resources in science and technology (HRST) by category and NUTS 139.9 Thousand persons (2025)
- Number of people using the Internet 371,481 users (2021)
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.