Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Sweden
Sweden: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 3.6% in 2023. ▬ Flat
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Sweden, 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
Sweden recorded 3.6% for research & development spending as a share of gdp in 2023.
That represents a change of up 3.7% on the previous year and up 9.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Sweden peaked at 3.9% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 3.1%, in 2014.
Sweden ranks 3rd of 116 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.4% | 2 |
| 2000s | 3.5% | 3.2% | 3.9% | 8 |
| 2010s | 3.3% | 3.1% | 3.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.5% | 3.4% | 3.6% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sweden
- 1 Israel 6.3% compare
- 2 South Korea 4.9% compare
- 4 United States 3.4% compare
- 5 Japan 3.4% compare
- 6 Belgium 3.3% compare
More science & technology data for Sweden
- Scientific and technical journal articles 21,244 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 14.92 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 140.69 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 140.69 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 425 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 95.8% (2025)
- Patent applications, residents 1,771 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 3.6% (2023)
- Human resources in science and technology (HRST) by category and NUTS 3,915 Thousand persons (2025)
- Number of people using the Internet 9.86 million users (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Sweden?
- Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Sweden was 3.6% 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 Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 3.9% in 2001.
- What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.1% in 2014.
- How does Sweden rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
- Sweden ranks 3rd out of 116 countries with data for 2023.
- Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Sweden 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.