U.S. R&D-to-GDP Ratio Reached 3.43% in 2022, Driven by Experimental Development

The ratio of U.S. research and development (R&D) to gross domestic product (GDP) reached 3.43% in 2022. The increase in the R&D-to-GDP ratio between 2010 and 2022 can primarily be attributed to experimental development, which increased as a percentage of GDP during that time from 1.67% to 2.31%, the highest share recorded to date. Prior to recent years, the R&D-to-GDP ratio peaked in 1964 at 2.79%. Basic research comprised 15% of total U.S. R&D in 2022, a decrease from its 2010 share (19%) but above its share in 1964 (13%). The share of applied research in U.S. R&D was 18% in 2022, below both its 2010 share (19%) and 1964 share (22%). The share of experimental development reached 67% in 2022, above both its 2010 share (62%) and 1964 share (65%).

The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) has reviewed this product for unauthorized disclosure of confidential information and approved its release (NCSES-DRN25-009).

Suggested citation: National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). 2025. U.S. R&D-to-GDP Ratio Reached 3.43% in 2022, Driven by Experimental Development. NSF 25-335. Alexandria, VA: U.S. National Science Foundation. Available at https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf25335.