The Countries That Lead In Percentage of GDP Spent On Research and Development

What is most significant about the five leading countries in terms of R&D spending, is that they are all leaders in various aspects of technology, the engine driving global growth and investment. 

They are wealthy countries with well-educated populations. Investing in industries that, in turn, benefit their citizens is a winning combination. That has not been lost on venture capitalists and other investors recognizing the importance of diversified portfolios for sustained growth. JL 

Sean Fleming reports in the World Economic Forum:

Investment in (R&D) is the lifeblood of many private sector organizations, helping bring new products and services to market. It’s also important to national economies and plays a crucial role in GDP growth. Countries spend the largest proportion of GDP on R&D activities bolster economic competitiveness. The top five are: Israel, South Korea, Switzerland, Sweden and Japan. The world’s two largest economies, the US (2.84%) and China (2.19%), are ranked at numbers nine and 13.

• World Bank data from 2017 and 2018 shows which countries invest heaviest in R&D.
• Some smaller countries are out-spending much larger economies in this area.
• R&D can help usher in a new, post-pandemic era of sustainable economic growth.

Investment in research and development (R&D) is the lifeblood of many private sector organizations, helping bring new products and services to market. It’s also important to national economies and plays a crucial role in GDP growth.

As we recover from the pandemic, R&D will play a key role in underpinning private sector growth and job creation, Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, said at the opening of the World Economic Forum's Pioneers of Change summit.

The World Bank analyzed the most recent available data on which countries spend the largest proportion of GDP on R&D activities. While the data predates the pandemic, it helps shine a light on how funding research can bolster economic competitiveness. The top five are: Israel, South Korea, Switzerland, Sweden and Japan.

Image: World Economic Forum

Here is a summary of the top three nations in the World Bank’s list.

Israel

In 2018, Israel spent 4.95% of GDP on R&D, according to the World Bank. One of its most important economic sectors is technology. Its tech sector benefits from an influx of skilled, educated engineers and technicians who moved there in the early 1990s, according to the OECD.

South Korea

Between 1960 and 2019, South Korea recorded GDP growth averaging 7.3% per year. Much like Israel, the country has a booming tech industry. It also has a large defence sector – its border with North Korea is one of the most heavily militarized places in the world. As well as impressive GDP growth, South Korea’s exports have been healthy too, growing by an average of 16% per year between 1961 and 2019. It spent 4.81% of GDP on R&D in 2018, according to World Bank data.

Switzerland

The data for Switzerland relates to 2017, when the landlocked European country spent 3.37% of GDP on R&D. The services sector is by far the biggest Swiss economic engine, generating almost three-quarters of total GDP. By comparison, agriculture is worth around just 1%, with the rest coming from industry. Switzerland’s main export market is the European Union – while not a member of the EU, it is party to a number of treaties that allow it to trade freely with EU nations. Among its main industrial sectors are pharmaceuticals, and of course watches – which keep 9% of exports ticking along.

Switzerland spends 3.37% of GDP on R&D.

Image: Discover Switzerland

Larger economies are lagging behind

The world’s two largest economies, the US (2.84%) and China (2.19%), are ranked at numbers nine and 13, respectively, in the World Bank list. Both figures are based on 2018 data.

Europe’s largest economy, Germany, comes in seventh, with 3.09% of GDP dedicated to R&D in 2018. One of Europe’s other large economies, the UK – which has decided to leave the European Union – is ranked 21st by the World Bank. Just 1.72% of GDP went toward R&D in the same year.