Sweden R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Sweden's r&d spending was 3.50% in 2025, ranked 5th globally. This represents a 2.6% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1997–2025.
Overview
Sweden's r&d spending stood at 3.50% in 2025, a rise of +0.09% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.50% by 2025. Sweden ranked 5th globally.
Sweden’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development has risen modestly but steadily since the earliest World Bank observation in 1997, when it stood at 3.27 % of GDP, to 3.50 % in 2025, positioning the country fifth globally. The upward trajectory peaked in 2001 at 3.87 % before a pronounced dip to a trough of 3.10 % in 2014, after which the level recovered and has remained above the 3 % threshold for the past decade. Compared with peer nations, Sweden’s 2025 figure trails Belgium’s 3.90 % and the United States’ 4.09 % but is marginally higher than Japan’s 3.49 %, reflecting a competitive but not leading stance among advanced economies. The 24‑year span of data shows that policy incentives for innovation and sustained public‑private collaboration have cushioned the post‑trough decline. Continued emphasis on high‑technology sectors and increased private R&D investment will be crucial to push the share beyond the current 3.5 % level in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 3.50% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.50% | +0.09% | #5 |
| 2022 | 3.41% | +0.01% | #4 |
| 2021 | 3.40% | −0.09% | #4 |
| 2020 | 3.49% | +0.10% | #3 |
| 2019 | 3.39% | +0.07% | #4 |
| 2018 | 3.32% | −0.04% | #3 |
| 2017 | 3.36% | +0.12% | #3 |
| 2016 | 3.25% | +0.03% | #3 |
| 2015 | 3.22% | +0.12% | #4 |
| 2014 | 3.10% | −0.16% | #5 |
| 2013 | 3.26% | +0.03% | #5 |
| 2012 | 3.23% | +0.04% | #4 |
| 2011 | 3.19% | +0.02% | #5 |
| 2010 | 3.17% | −0.23% | #4 |
| 2009 | 3.40% | −0.07% | #3 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sweden matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. 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
Sweden's r&d spending was 3.50% in 2025. Ranked 5th globally. This represents a 2.6% increase from the previous year.
Sweden's r&d spending peaked at 3.87% in 2001.
The lowest r&d spending in Sweden was 3.10% in 2014.
Sweden ranks 5th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sweden's r&d spending is projected to reach 3.50% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Sweden in 2025 was 3.50%. This ranks 5th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sweden_rd-spending,
title = {Sweden R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sweden/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}