Denmark R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Denmark's r&d spending was 2.75% in 2025, ranked 12th globally. This represents a 4.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Denmark's r&d spending stood at 2.75% in 2025, a decline of +0.14% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.75% by 2025. Denmark ranked 12th globally.
Denmark’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has risen steadily over the 28‑year series, moving from an all‑time trough of 1.81 % of GDP in 1996 to a peak of 3.09 % in 2016, before settling at 2.75 % in 2025, which places the country 12th globally. The upward trajectory reflects sustained public and private investment in science and technology, aligning Denmark with other high‑spending economies such as Germany, which recorded 3.14 % in the same year, and surpassing the European Union average of 2.32 %. Although the 2025 figure remains below the 2016 high, it still exceeds the 1996 low by 1.94 percentage points, indicating a durable expansion of the knowledge base. Continued emphasis on innovation policy, coupled with increased venture capital for start‑ups, could push Denmark’s R&D intensity beyond the 3 % threshold in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 2.75% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.75% | −0.14% | #12 |
| 2022 | 2.89% | +0.13% | #10 |
| 2021 | 2.76% | −0.21% | #13 |
| 2020 | 2.97% | +0.08% | #9 |
| 2019 | 2.90% | −0.07% | #11 |
| 2018 | 2.97% | +0.03% | #8 |
| 2017 | 2.93% | −0.16% | #8 |
| 2016 | 3.09% | +0.04% | #6 |
| 2015 | 3.05% | +0.14% | #6 |
| 2014 | 2.91% | −0.06% | #7 |
| 2013 | 2.97% | −0.01% | #6 |
| 2012 | 2.98% | +0.04% | #6 |
| 2011 | 2.94% | +0.03% | #6 |
| 2010 | 2.92% | −0.14% | #6 |
| 2009 | 3.06% | +0.28% | #6 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Denmark 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
Denmark's r&d spending was 2.75% in 2025. Ranked 12th globally. This represents a 4.7% decrease from the previous year.
Denmark's r&d spending peaked at 3.09% in 2016.
The lowest r&d spending in Denmark was 1.81% in 1996.
Denmark ranks 12th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Denmark's r&d spending is projected to reach 2.75% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Denmark in 2025 was 2.75%. This ranks 12th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_denmark_rd-spending,
title = {Denmark R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/denmark/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}