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R&D expenditure, funded by the government and companies, as a % of GDP

data publication
Science in Figures
09 April 2024
R&D government business Finance
To get a good overview of Dutch R&D expenditure, we can compare the expenditure with other countries. In this data publication, we compare R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP. We look at total expenditure, at government expenditure and at company expenditure.

In short

  • Total Dutch R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP is above the EU27 average, but below the OECD average.
  • The R&D expenditure of the Dutch government is above the EU-27 average and the OECD average.
  • The R&D expenditure funded by companies is above the EU-27 average, but below the OECD average.

R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP

Source: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Main Science and Technology Indicators (MSTI) database 2023.
Notes: a) The MSTI database shows a set of indicators which represent the structure and efforts of the OECD member countries and seven non-OECD economies  (Argentina, China, Romania, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and Chinese Taipei) in the field of science and technology since 1981. The indicators regard expenditure and personnel for R&D, patents, the technological balance of payments and the international trade of R&D intensive industries. Data for Korea, US, Japan, Switzerland, UK, OECD and Canada from 2021. Data for Singapore and China from 2020.    b) The data are performer based data. Performers are asked for their funding sources. 

Explanatory note 
R&D-expenditure as percentage of GDP is above EU-27 average, but below OECD average. In 2021, total Dutch R&D expenditure was 2,30% of GDP. This is between the averages of the OECD (2.76) and the EU27 (2.24). 

R&D expenditures by the government

Source: OECD, MSTI database 2023
Notes: Performer based data. Data for Singapore 2020 and Denmark 2019. 

Explanatory note
Dutch government R&D expenditure is above the EU-27 average and the OECD average.
 

R&D expenditures by business enterprises

Source: OECD, MSTI database 2023
Notes: Performer based data. Data for Singapore 2020 and Denmark 2019. 

Explanatory note
Business expenditure on R&D is above the EU-27 average but below the OECD average. 

Correlatie R&D uitgaven overheid bedrijven
Source: OECD, MSTI database. Performer based data. Data Singapore 2020 and Denmark 2019.

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