European Union R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
European Union's r&d spending was 2.32% in 2025, ranked 14th globally. This represents a 3.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
European Union's r&d spending stood at 2.32% in 2025, a rise of +0.07% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.32% by 2025. European Union ranked 14th globally.
R&D spending in the European Union has risen steadily over the 28‑year span from 1.70 % of GDP in 1996 to a peak of 2.32 % in 2025, placing the bloc at rank 14 globally. This upward trajectory reflects a gradual deepening of research capacity across member states, with the latest figure of 2.32 % narrowly trailing the Netherlands at 2.39 % and edging ahead of France’s 2.27 % in the same year. The increase contrasts with the all‑time trough recorded in 1996, when the EU’s share of GDP was well below the current level, suggesting that policy initiatives such as Horizon Europe and coordinated national programmes have begun to bear fruit. While the EU remains behind Denmark’s 2.75 % and Slovenia’s 2.26 % among peers, the continued alignment of public and private funding, coupled with strategic investments in emerging technologies, is likely to sustain the positive trend, provided fiscal commitments are maintained.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 2.32% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.32% | +0.07% | #14 |
| 2022 | 2.24% | −0.02% | #14 |
| 2021 | 2.26% | −0.04% | #16 |
| 2020 | 2.30% | +0.07% | #15 |
| 2019 | 2.22% | +0.04% | #16 |
| 2018 | 2.19% | +0.03% | #13 |
| 2017 | 2.15% | +0.04% | #15 |
| 2016 | 2.12% | −0.00% | #14 |
| 2015 | 2.12% | −0.00% | #18 |
| 2014 | 2.12% | +0.02% | #15 |
| 2013 | 2.10% | +0.02% | #15 |
| 2012 | 2.08% | +0.06% | #15 |
| 2011 | 2.02% | +0.05% | #17 |
| 2010 | 1.97% | +0.00% | #14 |
| 2009 | 1.97% | +0.10% | #14 |
Analysis
European Union's r&d spending was 2.32% in 2025, a rise of +0.07% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 2.32% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's r&d spending was 2.32% in 2025. Ranked 14th globally. This represents a 3.3% increase from the previous year.
European Union's r&d spending peaked at 2.32% in 2025.
The lowest r&d spending in European Union was 1.70% in 1996.
European Union ranks 14th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
European Union's r&d spending is projected to reach 2.32% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of European Union in 2025 was 2.32%. This ranks 14th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_rd-spending,
title = {European Union R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}