Introduction
Business enterprise R&D spending reflects the private sector's commitment to developing new products, processes, and technologies — from pharmaceuticals to software, from aerospace to finance. Business R&D investment drives innovation that transforms industries and markets, supporting long-term economic growth and competitiveness.
Data come from OECD's Analytical Business Enterprise R&D (ANBERD) database, which presents annual data on R&D expenditures by industry according to the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 4. The database covers all OECD member countries and provides comprehensive coverage of business innovation investment patterns.
Total Business R&D Expenditure
In 2017, total business R&D spending decreased to 1,722.11 million US dollars (-241.53 million US dollars y/y). This development suggests persistent challenges in maintaining a leading innovation economy position amid global economic headwinds affecting private sector investment decisions.
Manufacturing
In 2017, business R&D spending in manufacturing fell to 1,058.31 million US dollars (-148.43 million US dollars y/y), suggesting challenges in maintaining manufacturing innovation leadership as companies adjust R&D priorities amid economic uncertainty.
Services
In 2017, business R&D spending in services decreased to 616.98 million US dollars (-86.53 million US dollars y/y), indicating slower growth in services R&D as companies prioritize core business operations during economic uncertainty.
Information and Communication
In 2017, business R&D spending in information and communication decreased to 91.44 million US dollars (-12.82 million US dollars y/y). This suggests challenges in competing with global ICT leaders as companies face headwinds in digital innovation investment.
Financial and Insurance Activities
In 2017, business R&D spending in financial and insurance activities fell to 25.35 million US dollars (-3.56 million US dollars y/y), suggesting constraints in financial services innovation as traditional banking faces regulatory and competitive pressures.
Pharmaceuticals
In 2017, business R&D spending in pharmaceuticals fell to 106.25 million US dollars (-14.9 million US dollars y/y). This suggests challenges in pharmaceutical innovation as companies navigate regulatory complexities and longer development timelines.
Computer, Electronic and Optical Products
In 2017, business R&D spending in computer, electronic and optical products decreased to 68.91 million US dollars (-9.66 million US dollars y/y), indicating challenges in competing with global electronics leaders as companies face headwinds in semiconductor and electronics innovation.
Motor Vehicles
In 2017, business R&D spending in motor vehicles fell to 312.62 million US dollars (-43.84 million US dollars y/y), suggesting challenges in automotive innovation as companies navigate the transition from traditional combustion engines to electric and autonomous technologies.
Aerospace
In 2017, business R&D spending in aerospace decreased to 28.72 million US dollars (-4.03 million US dollars y/y). This indicates challenges in aerospace R&D as companies face longer development cycles and regulatory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
As of the latest available data, total business R&D spending amounts to 1,722.11 million US dollars. For comparison, other major economies allocate the following amounts:
- United States: 581,603.84 million US dollars
- Japan: 143,254.97 million US dollars
- France: 41,842.04 million US dollars
- United Kingdom: 60,452.26 million US dollars
- South Korea: 94,976.31 million US dollars
These allocations reflect each country's strategic focus on innovation as a driver of economic competitiveness and technological leadership.
Several industries contribute significantly to total business R&D expenditure:
- Manufacturing: 1,058.31 million US dollars
- Motor Vehicles: 312.62 million US dollars
- Pharmaceuticals: 106.25 million US dollars
- Computer, Electronic and Optical Products: 68.91 million US dollars
- Aerospace: 28.72 million US dollars
These sectors collectively support business innovation investment and drive technological advancement across key industries.
Several factors influence business R&D investment trends, including economic cycles, industry transformation, and technological shifts. The ongoing transition from traditional automotive technologies to electric and autonomous vehicles has driven significant R&D investment in recent years. Global economic conditions, trade patterns, and competitive pressures also affect R&D spending decisions. Strong institutional framework, skilled workforce, and established innovation ecosystems support sustained business R&D investment, while digital transformation and regulatory changes create new opportunities and challenges for R&D-intensive industries.
Business R&D Spending in Other Countries
Compare business enterprise R&D expenditure with other OECD countries to explore regional trends and national innovation priorities.
Methodology and Data Sources
All charts and indicators update automatically based on OECD's Analytical Business Enterprise R&D (ANBERD) database, which presents annual data on R&D expenditures by industry according to the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 4. The ANBERD database incorporates estimations that build upon and extend national submissions of business enterprise R&D data by industry, providing comprehensive coverage across OECD member countries. The data are expressed in US dollars adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) at current prices, ensuring meaningful cross-country comparisons. ANBERD reflects actual R&D spending by businesses, classified by industrial sectors such as manufacturing, services, information and communication, and financial activities. The data cover annual expenditures from the 1980s to the present, updated in real time as OECD member countries publish their business R&D statistics, typically within several months of the reference period. The OECD updates this database annually as member countries publish their final business enterprise R&D statistics.