France R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
France's r&d spending was 2.27% in 2025, ranked 15th globally. This represents a 1.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
France's r&d spending stood at 2.27% in 2025, a rise of +0.04% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.27% by 2025. France ranked 15th globally.
France’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has risen modestly over the 28‑year span from 2.22 % of GDP in 1996 to 2.27 % in 2025, placing the country 15th globally. The upward trajectory accelerated after the all‑time trough of 2.02 % recorded in 2007, reaching a peak of 2.28 % in 2014 before stabilising around the current level. Compared with peers, France remains slightly below the European Union average of 2.32 % and the Netherlands at 2.39 %, but marginally ahead of Estonia’s 2.11 % and close to Slovenia’s 2.26 %. The persistence of a narrow band between trough and peak suggests limited volatility, yet the modest gain since 2014 indicates that further policy incentives or increased private sector investment will be needed to lift France’s R&D intensity and close the gap with higher‑spending neighbours.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 2.27% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.27% | +0.04% | #15 |
| 2022 | 2.23% | +0.02% | #15 |
| 2021 | 2.22% | −0.06% | #17 |
| 2020 | 2.27% | +0.08% | #16 |
| 2019 | 2.19% | −0.00% | #17 |
| 2018 | 2.20% | −0.00% | #12 |
| 2017 | 2.20% | −0.02% | #13 |
| 2016 | 2.22% | −0.00% | #12 |
| 2015 | 2.23% | −0.05% | #13 |
| 2014 | 2.28% | +0.04% | #12 |
| 2013 | 2.24% | +0.01% | #12 |
| 2012 | 2.23% | +0.04% | #13 |
| 2011 | 2.19% | +0.01% | #14 |
| 2010 | 2.18% | −0.03% | #11 |
| 2009 | 2.21% | +0.15% | #11 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
France matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2019. 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
France's r&d spending was 2.27% in 2025. Ranked 15th globally. This represents a 1.8% increase from the previous year.
France's r&d spending peaked at 2.28% in 2014.
The lowest r&d spending in France was 2.02% in 2007.
France ranks 15th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
France's r&d spending is projected to reach 2.27% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of France in 2025 was 2.27%. This ranks 15th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_france_rd-spending,
title = {France R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/france/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}