USA: Research and development expenditure

* indicates monthly or quarterly data series
 USA

Research and development expenditure, percent of GDP

 Latest value 3.46
 Year 2021
 Measure percent
 Data availability 1996 - 2021
 Average 2.74
 Min - Max 2.45 - 3.47
 Source The United Nations
The latest value from 2021 is 3.46 percent, a decline from 3.47 percent in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 1.25 percent, based on data from 78 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1996 to 2021 is 2.74 percent. The minimum value, 2.45 percent, was reached in 1996 while the maximum of 3.47 percent was recorded in 2020. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.
Select indicator
* indicates monthly or quarterly data series


Recent data
USA - Research and development expenditure - Recent values chart

Historical series
USA - Research and development expenditure - historical chart - 1996-2021




The expenditure for R&D on the charts includes both private and public spending on research and development.
Definition: Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.

Selected articles from our guide:

What factors determine the exchange rates

International lending and sovereign debt

All articles



 Related indicators Latest Reference Measure
 Innovation index 63.53 2023 points
 Research and development expenditure 3.46 2021 percent
 Information technology exports 7.85 2022 percent
 High tech exports 166,435.57 2022 million U.S. dollars
 High tech exports, percent of manufactured exports 17.85 2022 percent
 Patent applications by residents 262,244 2021 patent applications
This site uses cookies.
Learn more here


OK