China Surpasses US as Top Global R&D Spender in 2024, India Secures 7th Position
In a landmark shift for global innovation, China has emerged as the world's largest research and development (R&D) spender in 2024, nearly tying with the United States, according to the latest data from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). The Global Innovation Index 2025 reveals that global R&D expenditure reached an estimated $2.87 trillion in 2024, marking a nearly 3% increase from the previous year and almost a threefold rise since 2000.
Asia Dominates Global R&D Landscape
Asia continued to expand its influence, accounting for about 45% of total global R&D spending in 2024. China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea all ranked among the top 10 R&D spenders, underscoring the region's growing technological prowess. Several emerging economies, including Turkey, Egypt, India, Thailand, Poland, and Saudi Arabia, also increased their global R&D presence during the year.
In contrast, countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Russia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom recorded declines in their R&D spending shares, highlighting shifting dynamics in global innovation investments.
Top 10 Countries by R&D Spending in 2024
Here is the list of the top 10 countries based on R&D expenditure in 2024, measured in dollars at 2015 purchasing power parity:
- China (East Asia): $785.9 billion – a 20-fold increase since 2000 and a gain of over 23 percentage points in global share.
- United States (North America): $781.8 billion – roughly double its spending over the past 24 years, but with a decline of 9.7 percentage points in global share.
- Japan (East Asia): $186.0 billion – experienced a 7.2 percentage point decline in global share.
- Germany (Central Europe): $132.2 billion – Europe's largest R&D investor.
- Republic of Korea (East Asia): $126.4 billion – a high R&D intensity economy.
- United Kingdom (Western Europe): $86.5 billion – a leading European innovator.
- India (South Asia): $75.7 billion – a threefold increase since 2000, representing about 10% of China's spending.
- France (Western Europe): $65.8 billion – a major European R&D hub.
- Türkiye (Middle East): $43.2 billion – an emerging R&D economy.
- Brazil (South America): $38.4 billion – Latin America's R&D leader.
India's Position and Growth Trajectory
India ranked seventh globally in R&D spending for 2024, with an expenditure of $75.73 billion. While this figure is approximately one-tenth of China's, it represents a more than threefold increase from $20.8 billion over the past two decades. This growth positions India as a key player in the global innovation ecosystem, particularly in South Asia.
The data, sourced from WIPO estimates based on the Global Innovation Index Database, Eurostat, OECD, RICYT, and UNESCO UIS, reflects the growing significance of innovation-driven growth across both advanced and emerging economies. As global R&D continues to evolve, the rise of Asian nations and the steady progress of countries like India signal a transformative period in worldwide technological advancement.
