Australia R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Australia's r&d spending was 1.86% in 2021, ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 1.6% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2021.
Overview
Australia's r&d spending stood at 1.86% in 2021, a rise of +0.03% from 2019. Australia ranked 22nd globally.
Australia’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has risen modestly since the late 1990s, moving from a low of 1.51 percent of GDP in 1998 to 1.86 percent in 2021, which places the country 22nd globally. The all‑time peak of 2.40 percent was reached in 2008, after which the share declined before resuming a gradual ascent. Over the 14‑year coverage period the average remained close to the 2021 level, mirroring the performance of peer nations such as Canada, which also recorded 1.86 percent in 2021, and Norway at 1.89 percent. Compared with Estonia’s 1.77 percent, Australia lags slightly behind the European Union’s higher‑spending members, suggesting room for policy reinforcement. The recent upward trajectory indicates that sustained public and private investment, coupled with targeted incentives for emerging technologies, could lift Australia’s R&D intensity above the current plateau and improve its standing in future global rankings.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.86% | +0.03% | #22 |
| 2019 | 1.83% | −0.05% | #23 |
| 2017 | 1.88% | −0.04% | #20 |
| 2015 | 1.92% | −0.26% | #21 |
| 2013 | 2.18% | −0.06% | #13 |
| 2011 | 2.23% | −0.14% | #13 |
| 2010 | 2.37% | −0.03% | #10 |
| 2008 | 2.40% | +0.22% | #13 |
| 2006 | 2.18% | +0.33% | #11 |
| 2004 | 1.85% | +0.10% | #14 |
| 2002 | 1.75% | +0.17% | #15 |
| 2000 | 1.57% | +0.06% | #19 |
| 1998 | 1.51% | −0.15% | #17 |
| 1996 | 1.66% | – | #13 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Australia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw r&d spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Australia's r&d spending was 1.86% in 2021. Ranked 22nd globally. This represents a 1.6% increase from the previous year.
Australia's r&d spending peaked at 2.40% in 2008.
The lowest r&d spending in Australia was 1.51% in 1998.
Australia ranks 22nd globally in r&d spending as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The r&d spending of Australia in 2021 was 1.86%. This ranks 22nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_australia_rd-spending,
title = {Australia R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/australia/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}