Canada R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Canada's r&d spending was 1.66% in 2025, ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Canada's r&d spending stood at 1.66% in 2025, a decline of +0.04% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.66% by 2025. Canada ranked 23rd globally.
Canada's research and development (R&D) spending has exhibited fluctuations throughout the past three decades. The country's R&D expenditure peaked in 2001 at 2.02, a figure that marked a significant high point in the nation's investment in scientific inquiry. Conversely, Canada's R&D spending hit a trough in 1996 with a value of 1.61, a low that was surpassed by several peer nations in the years that followed. As of 2025, Canada's R&D spending ranks 23rd globally, with a value of 1.66. Poland, a peer country, shares a similar ranking, indicating a level of parity between the two nations in this regard. Given the global shift towards increased R&D spending, it is likely that Canada will continue to invest in scientific research, potentially leading to an upward trend in its R&D expenditure in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.63% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.66% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.66% | −0.04% | #23 |
| 2023 | 1.70% | −0.01% | #1 |
| 2022 | 1.71% | −0.15% | #19 |
| 2021 | 1.86% | −0.07% | #21 |
| 2020 | 1.93% | +0.18% | #21 |
| 2019 | 1.76% | +0.02% | #24 |
| 2018 | 1.74% | +0.05% | #21 |
| 2017 | 1.69% | −0.04% | #23 |
| 2016 | 1.73% | +0.04% | #20 |
| 2015 | 1.69% | −0.02% | #23 |
| 2014 | 1.71% | +0.01% | #20 |
| 2013 | 1.71% | −0.07% | #20 |
| 2012 | 1.77% | −0.01% | #19 |
| 2011 | 1.79% | −0.04% | #19 |
| 2010 | 1.83% | −0.09% | #16 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Canada matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. 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
Canada's r&d spending was 1.66% in 2025. Ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from the previous year.
Canada's r&d spending peaked at 2.02% in 2001.
The lowest r&d spending in Canada was 1.61% in 1996.
Canada ranks 23rd globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Canada's r&d spending is projected to reach 1.66% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Canada in 2025 was 1.66%. This ranks 23rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_canada_rd-spending,
title = {Canada R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/canada/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}