Netherlands R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Netherlands's r&d spending was 2.39% in 2025, ranked 13th globally. This represents a 6.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Netherlands's r&d spending stood at 2.39% in 2025, a rise of +0.14% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.39% by 2025. Netherlands ranked 13th globally.
Netherlands’ gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has risen steadily over the 28‑year series, climbing from 1.84 % of GDP in 1996 to an all‑time peak of 2.39 % in 2025, which places the country at 13th globally. The lowest point occurred in 2008, when spending fell to 1.62 % of GDP, reflecting the broader financial crisis, but the subsequent recovery has been robust, outpacing the European Union average of 2.32 % and approaching the level recorded by Denmark at 2.75 %. The upward trajectory suggests that policy emphasis on innovation and the expansion of high‑tech sectors are bearing fruit, yet the gap with leading peers such as China (2.86 %) and France (2.27 %) indicates room for further gains. Continued investment in knowledge‑intensive industries and sustained public‑private collaboration will be crucial to maintain the positive trend and potentially lift the Netherlands into the top ten R&D spenders worldwide.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 2.39% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.39% | +0.14% | #13 |
| 2022 | 2.26% | −0.01% | #13 |
| 2021 | 2.27% | −0.05% | #15 |
| 2020 | 2.32% | +0.14% | #14 |
| 2019 | 2.18% | +0.05% | #18 |
| 2018 | 2.14% | −0.04% | #15 |
| 2017 | 2.18% | +0.03% | #14 |
| 2016 | 2.15% | +0.00% | #13 |
| 2015 | 2.15% | −0.03% | #17 |
| 2014 | 2.17% | +0.02% | #14 |
| 2013 | 2.16% | +0.24% | #14 |
| 2012 | 1.92% | +0.03% | #17 |
| 2011 | 1.88% | +0.18% | #18 |
| 2010 | 1.70% | +0.04% | #18 |
| 2009 | 1.67% | +0.04% | #19 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Netherlands 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
Netherlands's r&d spending was 2.39% in 2025. Ranked 13th globally. This represents a 6.1% increase from the previous year.
Netherlands's r&d spending peaked at 2.39% in 2025.
The lowest r&d spending in Netherlands was 1.62% in 2008.
Netherlands ranks 13th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Netherlands's r&d spending is projected to reach 2.39% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Netherlands in 2025 was 2.39%. This ranks 13th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_netherlands_rd-spending,
title = {Netherlands R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/netherlands/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}