{"version":1,"asset_type":"statistical_series","data_type":"time_series","slug":"au-rd-expenditure-gdp","url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/au-rd-expenditure-gdp","html_url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/au-rd-expenditure-gdp/","title":"Australia Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP) (2021)","description":"Australia's Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP): 1.9 % of GDP in 2021, +0.1pp vs 2019. World Bank (GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS), 1996–2021.","domain":"macro","category":"Economy & Macro","keywords":["Economy & Macro","World Bank","Australia","2021"],"publisher":"World Bank","frequency":"Annual","geography":"Australia","temporal_coverage":"1996/2021","unit":"% of GDP","last_updated":"2026-07-26","last_updated_text":"26 July 2026","data_as_of":"2021","variable_measured":"Australia Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP)","license":"https://apiardata.com/data-license","is_accessible_for_free":true,"sources":[{"name":"World Bank","url":"https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS?locations=AU"}],"meta":[{"label":"Frequency","value":"Annual"},{"label":"Coverage","value":"1996–2021"},{"label":"Observations","value":"14"},{"label":"Geography","value":"Australia"},{"label":"Last updated","value":"26 July 2026"}],"kpis":[{"label":"Australia (2021)","value":"1.9","unit":"% of GDP","trend":{"direction":"up","value":"+0.1pp vs 2019"}},{"label":"Change vs. prior observation","value":"+0.1pp","unit":"percentage points"},{"label":"Trend","value":"up","unit":""},{"label":"Series length","value":"14","unit":"years of data"}],"series":[{"key":"value","label":"Australia Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP)"}],"observation_count":14,"observations":[{"period":"1996","value":1.66218},{"period":"1998","value":1.51351},{"period":"2000","value":1.57198},{"period":"2002","value":1.74654},{"period":"2004","value":1.84802},{"period":"2006","value":2.17862},{"period":"2008","value":2.39898},{"period":"2010","value":2.3702},{"period":"2011","value":2.23459},{"period":"2013","value":2.17733},{"period":"2015","value":1.91969},{"period":"2017","value":1.88102},{"period":"2019","value":1.82826},{"period":"2021","value":1.85783}],"table":{"columns":[{"key":"year","label":"Year"},{"key":"value","label":"% of GDP"},{"key":"yoyChange","label":"Change"}],"rows":[{"year":"2021","value":"1.9","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2019","value":"1.8","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2017","value":"1.9","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2015","value":"1.9","yoyChange":"-0.3pp"},{"year":"2013","value":"2.2","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2011","value":"2.2","yoyChange":"-0.2pp"},{"year":"2010","value":"2.4","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2008","value":"2.4","yoyChange":"+0.2pp"},{"year":"2006","value":"2.2","yoyChange":"+0.4pp"},{"year":"2004","value":"1.8","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2002","value":"1.7","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2000","value":"1.6","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"1998","value":"1.5","yoyChange":"-0.2pp"},{"year":"1996","value":"1.7","yoyChange":"n/a"}]},"qa":[{"question":"What does this indicator measure?","answer":"This page tracks total R&D expenditure (public + private) as a share of GDP in Australia from 1996 to present. R&D intensity is a leading indicator of innovation capability and future economic productivity. It is published by World Bank and updated annually."},{"question":"How current is this data?","answer":"The most recent observation covers 2021. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. The series runs 1996–2021 (14 observations)."},{"question":"What is the long-term trend?","answer":"The series peaked at 2.4 % of GDP in 2008 and reached its lowest recorded value of 1.5 in 1998. The latest reading of 1.9 in 2021 represents a change of +0.1pp."}]}