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

data publication
Science in Figures
01 May 2025
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 just above the OECD average but below the EU-27 average.
  • The R&D expenditure funded by companies is just 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), March 2025.
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. b) Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, EU, and Ireland: 2021. Denmark: 2019.

Explanatory note 
R&D-expenditure as percentage of GDP is above the EU-27 (2021) average but below the OECD average. In 2022, total Dutch R&D expenditure was 2,18% of GDP. This is between the averages of the OECD (2.68) and the EU27 (2.12 in 2021). 

R&D expenditures by the government

Source: OECD/MSTI, March 2025
Notes: Performer based data. Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, EU, and Ireland: 2021. Denmark: 2019.

Explanatory note
Dutch government R&D expenditure is just below the EU-27 (2021) average and above the OECD average.
 

R&D expenditures by business enterprises

Source: OECD/MSTI, March 2025
Notes: Performer based data. Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, EU, and Ireland: 2021. Denmark: 2019.

Explanatory note
Business expenditure on R&D is just above the EU-27 (2021) average and below the OECD average. 

International R&D expenditure ratio between government and business in % GDP
Source: OECD/MSTI, March 2025.
Notes: Performer based data. Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, EU, and Ireland: 2021. Denmark: 2019.

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