Norway R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Norway's r&d spending was 1.37% in 2025, ranked 28th globally. This represents a 12.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1997–2025.
Overview
Norway's r&d spending stood at 1.37% in 2025, a decline of +0.19% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.37% by 2025. Norway ranked 28th globally.
Norway’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development has fallen to 1.37 percent of GDP in 2025, placing the country 28th globally and representing the lowest point in a 25‑year series that began at 1.59 percent in 1997. The decline follows a pronounced peak of 2.24 percent in 2020, after which the post‑pandemic contraction of private‑sector R&D and a modest reallocation of public funds have eroded the earlier gains. By contrast, peer economies such as Italy, with 1.39 percent in the same year, and Thailand, at 1.27 percent, illustrate a narrower gap in research intensity, suggesting that Norway’s recent trajectory is not inevitable for advanced economies. The downward swing coincides with slower growth in high‑technology exports and a tightening of fiscal space for innovation incentives. If policy makers restore targeted subsidies and strengthen university‑industry collaborations, the current trough could be reversed, allowing Norway to resume a gradual upward trend in R&D intensity.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 1.37% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.37% | −0.19% | #28 |
| 2022 | 1.56% | −0.33% | #21 |
| 2021 | 1.89% | −0.36% | #20 |
| 2020 | 2.24% | +0.11% | #17 |
| 2019 | 2.14% | +0.10% | #19 |
| 2018 | 2.03% | −0.05% | #16 |
| 2017 | 2.08% | +0.05% | #18 |
| 2016 | 2.03% | +0.11% | #18 |
| 2015 | 1.92% | +0.22% | #20 |
| 2014 | 1.70% | +0.06% | #21 |
| 2013 | 1.64% | +0.03% | #22 |
| 2012 | 1.61% | −0.01% | #21 |
| 2011 | 1.62% | −0.02% | #22 |
| 2010 | 1.64% | −0.08% | #19 |
| 2009 | 1.72% | +0.17% | #17 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Norway 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
Norway's r&d spending was 1.37% in 2025. Ranked 28th globally. This represents a 12.0% decrease from the previous year.
Norway's r&d spending peaked at 2.24% in 2020.
The lowest r&d spending in Norway was 1.37% in 2025.
Norway ranks 28th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Norway's r&d spending is projected to reach 1.37% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Norway in 2025 was 1.37%. This ranks 28th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_norway_rd-spending,
title = {Norway R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/norway/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}