Top 10 countries in Europe spending the most on R&D

Valerie Charoux
Oct 29, 2025
2 min read

News Economy Europe – Here are the Top 10 countries in Europe spending the most on R&D according to the OECD, Main Science and Technology Indicators database dated September 2025.

1 – What country worldwide spends the most on R&D?

The country that spends the most on R&D in the world is Israel with spending as a percentage of GDP of 6.35% in 2023.

2 – What is the average OECD spending on R&D?

The average OECD spending on R&D as a percentage of GDP of 2.70% in 2023.

3- Here are the Top 10 countries in Europe spending the most on R&D:

1 – Sweden

Sweden Ranks No. 1 country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 3.64% in 2023.

2 - Belgium

Belgium ranks 2^nd country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 3.27% in 2023.

3 – Austria

Austria ranks 3^rd country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 3.26% in 2023.

4 – Switzerland

Switzerland ranks 4^th country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 3.22% in 2023.

5 – Germany

Germany ranks 5^th country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 3.13% in 2023.

6 – Finland

Finland ranks 6^th country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 3.09% in 2023.

7 – Denmark

Denmark ranks 7^th country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 3.07% in 2023.

8 – United Kingdom

The United Kingdom ranks 8^th country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 2.68% in 2023.

9 – Iceland

Iceland ranks 9^th country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 2.62% in 2023.

10 – Netherlands

The Netherlands ranks 10^th country in Europe spending the most Gross domestic expenditures on R&D as a percentage of GDP with 1.30% in 2023.