Sub-categories

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Headline data

Expenditure as a percentage of GDP
Year Value Units Series GeoCode Observation status Unit multiplier
2006 1.5283053115 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2007 1.5677977247 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2008 1.6035252997 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2009 1.6379286385 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2010 1.6111644328 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2011 1.6458733496 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2012 1.5770290848 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2013 1.6149549499 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2014 1.6348894288 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2015 1.6473966678 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2016 1.6698782933 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units
2017 1.6893405272 Percentage (%) Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP Normal value Units

Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Geographical Area: United Kingdom

Unit of Measurement: Percentage (%)

Footnote: Prior to 2016 Software development is included in the product group Computer programming and information service activities. Please note the y axis does not go to 100% for ease of visualisation

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from UK statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from UK statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other UK-specific metadata information.

Indicator available

Not available for this indicator
Indicator description

Not available for this indicator
Geographical coverage

United Kingdom
Unit of measurement

Percentage (%)
Definitions

The OECD Frascati Manual provides the relevant definitions for research and experimental development, gross domestic expenditure on R&D and researchers. Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge - including knowledge of humankind, culture and society - and to devise new applications of available knowledge. Intramural expenditures are all expenditures for R&D performed within a statistical unit or sector of the economy during a specific period, whatever the source of funds. Researchers are professionals engaged in the conception or creation of new knowledge, products, processes, methods and systems and also in the management of the projects concerned.
Available disaggregations

Not available for this indicator
Calculations

(Spending by category / Gross Domestic Product) * 100
Other information

Data follows the UN specification for this indicator. This indicator has been identified in collaboration with topic experts.
Data last updated 16 November 2021
Metadata last updated 10 February 2022

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator name

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP
Target name

Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending
UN designated tier

Tier I
UN custodian agency

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Link to UN metadata United Nations Sustainable Development Goals metadata for target 9.5 opens in a new window

Source 1

Organisation

Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Periodicity

Annual
Earliest available data

2001
Geographical coverage

United Kingdom
Link to data source UK gross domestic expenditure on research and development dataset opens in a new window
Release date 14 March 2019
Next release

12/03/2020: We plan to update indicator data within 4 months of data being released
Statistical classification

National Statistic
Contact details

RandD@ons.gov.uk
Other information

Prior to 2011 PNP data were estimated. From 2011 data has been collected from a biennial survey with non-survey years being estimated using data from survey years. New higher education financial reporting standards starting on or after 1 January 2015 have resulted in significant changes in how financial performance is reported. This presents difficulties in comparing results from 2015 onwards with historical trends.

Source 2

Organisation

Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Periodicity

Annual
Earliest available data

2005
Geographical coverage

United Kingdom
Link to data source UK business enterprise research and development opens in a new window
Release date 21 November 2018
Next release

21/11/2019: We plan to update indicator data within 4 months of data being released
Statistical classification

National Statistic
Contact details

RandD@ons.gov.uk
Other information

Not available for this source

Source 3

Organisation

Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Periodicity

Annual
Earliest available data

2001
Geographical coverage

United Kingdom
Link to data source UK gross domestic expenditure on research and development regional dataset opens in a new window
Release date 14 March 2019
Next release

12/03/2020: We plan to update indicator data within 4 months of data being released
Statistical classification

National Statistic
Contact details

RandD@ons.gov.uk
Other information

Prior to 2011 PNP data was estimated. From 2011 data has been collected from a biennial survey with intermediate years being estimated using previous years data.

Source 4

Organisation

Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Periodicity

Annual
Earliest available data

1981
Geographical coverage

United Kingdom
Link to data source R&D BUS - GDP at current prices (Statistical Bulletin) opens in a new window
Release date 21 November 2018
Next release

21/11/2019: We plan to update indicator data within 4 months of data being released
Statistical classification

Official Statistic
Contact details

RandD@ons.gov.uk
Other information

Not available for this source
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