China R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
China's r&d spending was 2.86% in 2025, ranked 11th globally. This represents a 12.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
China's r&d spending stood at 2.86% in 2025, a rise of +0.31% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.86% by 2025. China ranked 11th globally.
China’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development rose from 0.56 percent of GDP in 1996 to 2.86 percent in 2025, marking both an all‑time peak and a climb of more than fivefold over a 28‑year span. The acceleration intensified after the early 2000s, reflecting policy incentives such as the “Medium‑and‑Long‑Term Program for Science and Technology Development” and expanded funding for high‑technology sectors. By 2025 China ranked eleventh globally, trailing peers such as Germany at 3.14 percent and the Netherlands at 2.39 percent, yet surpassing Denmark’s 2.75 percent, underscoring its rapid convergence toward advanced economies. The sustained upward trajectory suggests that continued state support, coupled with greater private‑sector participation, could push the R&D intensity beyond the current 2.86 percent, potentially narrowing the gap with the leading innovators in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 2.86% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.86% | +0.31% | #11 |
| 2022 | 2.56% | +0.12% | #12 |
| 2021 | 2.43% | +0.03% | #14 |
| 2020 | 2.41% | +0.16% | #13 |
| 2019 | 2.24% | +0.10% | #15 |
| 2018 | 2.14% | +0.02% | #14 |
| 2017 | 2.12% | +0.02% | #16 |
| 2016 | 2.10% | +0.04% | #16 |
| 2015 | 2.06% | +0.03% | #19 |
| 2014 | 2.02% | +0.02% | #17 |
| 2013 | 2.00% | +0.09% | #16 |
| 2012 | 1.91% | +0.13% | #18 |
| 2011 | 1.78% | +0.07% | #20 |
| 2010 | 1.71% | +0.05% | #17 |
| 2009 | 1.66% | +0.22% | #20 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
China matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2013. 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
China's r&d spending was 2.86% in 2025. Ranked 11th globally. This represents a 12.1% increase from the previous year.
China's r&d spending peaked at 2.86% in 2025.
The lowest r&d spending in China was 0.56% in 1996.
China ranks 11th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
China's r&d spending is projected to reach 2.86% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of China in 2025 was 2.86%. This ranks 11th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_china_rd-spending,
title = {China R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/china/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}