South Korea Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP) (2023)
South Korea's Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP): 4.9 % of GDP in 2023, +0.1pp YoY. World Bank (GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS), 1996–2023.
South Korea (2023)
4.9
% of GDP
+0.1pp YoY
YoY Change
+0.1pp
percentage points
Trend
up
Series length
28
years of data
Data
| Year | % of GDP | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4.9 | +0.1pp |
| 2022 | 4.8 | +0.2pp |
| 2021 | 4.6 | +0.1pp |
| 2020 | 4.5 | +0.1pp |
| 2019 | 4.4 | +0.1pp |
| 2018 | 4.3 | +0.2pp |
| 2017 | 4.1 | +0.3pp |
| 2016 | 3.8 | unchanged |
| 2015 | 3.8 | -0.1pp |
| 2014 | 3.9 | +0.1pp |
| 2013 | 3.8 | +0.1pp |
| 2012 | 3.7 | +0.3pp |
| 2011 | 3.4 | +0.2pp |
| 2010 | 3.2 | +0.2pp |
| 2009 | 3 | +0.1pp |
| 2008 | 2.9 | +0.1pp |
| 2007 | 2.8 | +0.2pp |
| 2006 | 2.6 | +0.2pp |
| 2005 | 2.4 | unchanged |
| 2004 | 2.4 | +0.2pp |
About this Dataset
South Korea recorded 4.9 % of GDP in 2023. The latest change was +0.1pp. Across 1996–2023 the series ranges from 1.9 % of GDP in 1999 to 4.9 % of GDP in 2023.
This page tracks total R&D expenditure (public + private) as a share of GDP in South Korea. R&D intensity is a leading indicator of innovation capability and future economic productivity.
Data sourced from World Bank via Open Data API. Values use World Bank standardised methodology intended for cross-country comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
This page tracks total R&D expenditure (public + private) as a share of GDP in South Korea. R&D intensity is a leading indicator of innovation capability and future economic productivity. It is published by World Bank and updated annually.
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).
The series is at its highest recorded level, 4.9 % of GDP in 2023, up from a low of 1.9 % of GDP in 1999. The latest change was +0.1pp.