{"version":1,"asset_type":"statistical_series","data_type":"time_series","slug":"gb-rd-expenditure-gdp","url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/gb-rd-expenditure-gdp","html_url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/gb-rd-expenditure-gdp/","title":"United Kingdom Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)","description":"United Kingdom's Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP): 2.7 % of GDP in 2023, -0.1pp YoY. World Bank (GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS), 1996–2023.","domain":"macro","category":"Economy & Macro","keywords":["Economy & Macro","World Bank","United Kingdom","2023"],"publisher":"World Bank","frequency":"Annual","geography":"United Kingdom","temporal_coverage":"1996/2023","unit":"% of GDP","last_updated":"2026-07-25","last_updated_text":"25 July 2026","data_as_of":"2023","variable_measured":"United Kingdom 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=GB"}],"meta":[{"label":"Frequency","value":"Annual"},{"label":"Coverage","value":"1996–2023"},{"label":"Observations","value":"28"},{"label":"Geography","value":"United Kingdom"},{"label":"Last updated","value":"25 July 2026"}],"kpis":[{"label":"United Kingdom (2023)","value":"2.7","unit":"% of GDP","trend":{"direction":"down","value":"-0.1pp YoY"}},{"label":"YoY Change","value":"-0.1pp","unit":"percentage points"},{"label":"Trend","value":"down","unit":""},{"label":"Series length","value":"28","unit":"years of data"}],"series":[{"key":"value","label":"United Kingdom Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP)"}],"observation_count":28,"observations":[{"period":"1996","value":1.5754},{"period":"1997","value":1.53729},{"period":"1998","value":1.54777},{"period":"1999","value":1.62268},{"period":"2000","value":1.60963},{"period":"2001","value":1.59544},{"period":"2002","value":1.61383},{"period":"2003","value":1.58131},{"period":"2004","value":1.53089},{"period":"2005","value":1.55004},{"period":"2006","value":1.57625},{"period":"2007","value":1.6183},{"period":"2008","value":1.60901},{"period":"2009","value":1.66991},{"period":"2010","value":1.63887},{"period":"2011","value":1.64681},{"period":"2012","value":1.57587},{"period":"2013","value":1.62096},{"period":"2014","value":2.26488},{"period":"2015","value":2.27566},{"period":"2016","value":2.32051},{"period":"2017","value":2.32602},{"period":"2018","value":2.70889},{"period":"2019","value":2.6707},{"period":"2020","value":2.93993},{"period":"2021","value":2.89968},{"period":"2022","value":2.75224},{"period":"2023","value":2.67614}],"table":{"columns":[{"key":"year","label":"Year"},{"key":"value","label":"% of GDP"},{"key":"yoyChange","label":"YoY Change"}],"rows":[{"year":"2023","value":"2.7","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2022","value":"2.8","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2021","value":"2.9","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2020","value":"2.9","yoyChange":"+0.2pp"},{"year":"2019","value":"2.7","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2018","value":"2.7","yoyChange":"+0.4pp"},{"year":"2017","value":"2.3","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2016","value":"2.3","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2015","value":"2.3","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2014","value":"2.3","yoyChange":"+0.7pp"},{"year":"2013","value":"1.6","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2012","value":"1.6","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2011","value":"1.6","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2010","value":"1.6","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2009","value":"1.7","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2008","value":"1.6","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2007","value":"1.6","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2006","value":"1.6","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2005","value":"1.6","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2004","value":"1.5","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"}]},"qa":[{"question":"What does this indicator measure?","answer":"This page tracks total R&D expenditure (public + private) as a share of GDP in United Kingdom 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 2023. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. The series runs 1996–2023 (28 observations)."},{"question":"What is the long-term trend?","answer":"The series peaked at 2.9 % of GDP in 2020 and reached its lowest recorded value of 1.5 in 2004. The latest reading of 2.7 in 2023 represents a change of -0.1pp."}]}