Introduction
Behind every new technology, climate solution, or medical breakthrough, there's a public decision to fund research. Government R&D budgets reveal those priorities — showing how Sweden invests in science, technology, and the future.
This analysis uses OECD's GBARD data to explore how Sweden's public research funding is distributed across key areas such as health, energy, defence, education, industry, environment, transport, space, and agriculture — and how those priorities have shifted over time.
Overall Government R&D Budget Allocations
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations in Sweden amounted to 5406.2 million US dollars (PPP) (+288.4 million US dollars y/y), pointing to enhanced government commitment to innovation and research excellence, signaling stronger investment in science and technology. The charts below show how total GBARD has evolved over time, highlighting long-term trends in research investment.
Health
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations for health in Sweden amounted to 382.7 million US dollars (PPP) (+9.7 million US dollars y/y), reflecting enhanced government support for biomedical research, disease prevention, and healthcare innovation. Health-related R&D supports biomedical research, disease prevention, and healthcare system improvements.
Energy
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations for energy in Sweden amounted to 324.2 million US dollars (PPP) (+22.1 million US dollars y/y), suggesting stronger government commitment to clean energy research and energy transition technologies. Energy R&D allocations support research on climate change, clean technologies, and energy security.
Defence
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations for defence in Sweden amounted to 190.1 million US dollars (PPP) (+30 million US dollars y/y), reflecting enhanced government commitment to defence technologies and strategic security investments. Defence R&D allocations reflect evolving security priorities and strategic investments in defence technologies.
Education
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations for education in Sweden amounted to 42.9 million US dollars (PPP) (-0.8 million US dollars y/y), pointing to reduced emphasis on education-related R&D or reallocation of research funding to other sectors. Education R&D supports research on learning methodologies, educational technologies, and educational policy effectiveness.
Industrial Production and Technology
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations for industrial production and technology in Sweden amounted to 99.5 million US dollars (PPP) (+4.3 million US dollars y/y), reflecting stronger government commitment to industrial innovation and advanced manufacturing technologies. Industrial and technology R&D allocations support innovation in manufacturing, advanced technologies, and industrial competitiveness.
Environment
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations for environment in Sweden amounted to 129.8 million US dollars (PPP) (+2.7 million US dollars y/y), suggesting enhanced government commitment to environmental research, pollution control, and climate change mitigation technologies. Environmental R&D supports research on pollution control, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.
Transport, Telecommunication and Other Infrastructures
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations for transport, telecommunication and other infrastructures in Sweden amounted to 245.1 million US dollars (PPP) (+13.4 million US dollars y/y), pointing to enhanced government commitment to infrastructure research and development, signaling stronger investment in transportation and telecommunications technologies. Transport and infrastructure R&D supports research on transportation systems, telecommunications networks, and infrastructure technologies.
Exploration and Exploitation of Space
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations for exploration and exploitation of space in Sweden amounted to 128.7 million US dollars (PPP) (-4.4 million US dollars y/y), suggesting reduced emphasis on space R&D or shifting priorities away from space exploration. Space R&D supports research on space exploration, satellite technologies, and space-based applications.
Agriculture
In 2024, government R&D budget allocations for agriculture in Sweden amounted to 65.2 million US dollars (PPP) (+0.5 million US dollars y/y), suggesting enhanced government commitment to agricultural research and development, supporting sustainable farming and food security. Agricultural R&D supports research on crop production, livestock management, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
GBARD represents the funds that governments commit to research and development activities, as allocated in their budgets. Unlike actual R&D expenditure, GBARD reflects budgeted amounts that governments plan to spend on R&D, classified by socio-economic objectives such as health, energy, defence, education, and industrial technology. GBARD data help track government priorities and strategic investments in innovation over time.
As of the latest available data, government R&D budget allocations stand at 5,406.2 million US dollars (PPP). For comparison, other major OECD economies allocate the following amounts:
- United States: 203,919 million US dollars (PPP)
- Japan: 88,492 million US dollars (PPP)
- France: 27,216.8 million US dollars (PPP)
- United Kingdom: 24,929.2 million US dollars (PPP)
- South Korea: 37,515.8 million US dollars (PPP)
These allocations reflect each country's strategic focus on innovation as a driver of economic competitiveness and technological leadership.
Government R&D budgets signal national priorities and strategic investments in innovation. By funding basic research, applied science, and technology development, governments create the foundation for private-sector innovation, economic competitiveness, and long-term growth. Countries that allocate substantial resources to R&D in key areas such as health, energy, and technology tend to build stronger innovation ecosystems, attract high-tech industries, and maintain competitive advantages in global markets. GBARD data help policymakers and analysts understand how different nations balance their research investments across priorities, revealing patterns that correlate with innovation outcomes and economic performance.
GBARD (Government Budget Allocations for R&D) measures planned government spending on R&D as reflected in budgets, while BERD (Business Expenditure on R&D) measures actual R&D spending by businesses. GBARD is forward-looking and policy-oriented, showing government intentions and priorities, whereas BERD reflects real expenditure by the private sector. Together, GBARD and BERD provide complementary views of a country's R&D landscape: GBARD shows what governments plan to fund, while BERD shows what businesses actually invest in innovation.
OECD compiles GBARD data annually based on budget information provided by member countries. The data are typically updated within several months of the reference period, once national statistical offices and government agencies publish their final budget figures. The OECD's GBARD database covers historical data going back to 1981 for many countries, including Sweden, allowing for long-term trend analysis and cross-country comparisons of government R&D investment patterns.
Government R&D Budget Allocations in Countries
Compare government R&D budget allocations across OECD countries to explore regional trends and national priorities.
Methodology and Data Sources
All charts and indicators update automatically based on OECD's Government Budget Allocations for R&D (GBARD) statistics, compiled according to the NABS 2007 classification system. The data are expressed in US dollars adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) at current prices, ensuring meaningful cross-country comparisons. GBARD reflects budgeted amounts that governments commit to R&D activities, classified by socio-economic objectives such as health, energy, defence, education, environment, industrial technology, transport, space exploration, and agriculture. The data cover annual allocations from 1981 to the present, updated in real time as OECD member countries publish their budget figures, typically within several months of the reference period. The OECD updates this database annually as member countries publish their final budget figures.