This country is leading the world in Research and Development spending, not US, UK, India, China, Russia, Europe, Japan, name is…, located in…

Countries topping Research and Development: In a world which is largely focused on wealth creation and GDP growth, some countries of the world are still focus on technological advancements, investment in Research and Development (R&D). While the biggest economies of the world like US and China have been famous for technological innovations, new countries whose economies do not dominate the global economy have sated to emerge as a the biggest players in the technology upgradation work. Here are all the details you need to know about the countries which are heavily investing in the R&D sector.

Countries topping R&D intensity

Contrary to popular belief, a report by OECD indicates that traditional economic powerhouses are not leading in R&D intensity. In 2023, Israel topped the list by allocating an impressive 6.3% of its GDP to research and development—an investment totaling $28.3 billion, with 92% coming from the private sector. This strong commitment fuels Israel’s thriving tech ecosystem, which boasts the highest number of high-tech startups per capita globally.

South Korea’s rank in R&D intensity

South Korea follows closely, investing 5.0% of its GDP in R&D. Like Israel, its innovation push is largely powered by private companies, highlighting a national strategy that positions technological advancement as a key driver of competitiveness.

European countries in R&D investment

Sweden, investing 3.6% of its GDP in R&D, also stands out, reaffirming the Nordic region’s deep-rooted culture of innovation. Several other European and Asian countries show continued dedication to research and development: Japan (3.4%), Belgium (3.3%), Switzerland (3.3%), Austria (3.3%), and Germany (3.1%) round out the top tier of R&D spenders among OECD nations.

For those unversed, Gross domestic spending on research and development (R&D) is the total expenditure (current and capital) on R&D in a country. The more the country spends on Research and Development, the more the country is likely to grow in research and innovation.

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