Source: German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies, calculations; OECD, Main Science snd Technology Indicators March 2026

Notes:
¹⁾ Some figures are revised, provisional, estimated or only partly comparable with figures from previous years (see original edition of "Main Science and Technology Indicators March 2026").
²⁾ Until 1990, only West German Länder.
³⁾ As of 1999, provincial and local government funding is included in the GBARD data, as well as funding from the Danish National Research Foundation and the Danish Investment Fund.
⁴⁾ The method for recording funds spent on R&D in ministries and certain public institutions was adjusted, resulting in a more accurate recording of their funding activities starting in 2010. A new methodology was introduced in 2004 to correct certain instances of double-counting in funds allocated to universities. In 2007, the sampling procedure in the business sector was adjusted, and data from 2004 onward were revised in accordance with the new methodology. Starting in 2001, the scope of coverage for the business sector was expanded. The data reported by the Department of Defense were also expanded to include research activities that had not been classified as R&D in previous years. In 2000, several methodological changes that improved the quality of public sector data resulted in a break in the time series for that year.
⁵⁾ Both the business survey and the higher education survey were improved in 2009, resulting in a break in the time series. Until 2007, the humanities and law were only partially covered in the higher education sector.
⁶⁾ GBARD data reflect the budget for science and technology. Local government budgets have been included in the overall GBARD figures since 2017. The methodology for compiling science and technology budgets changed starting in 2016. Military procurement contracts are excluded from the GBARD figures for the defense sector.
⁷⁾ Since 2009, a large entity that had not previously been included has been classified as an R&D performer in the PNP sector.
⁸⁾ Until 2005, R&D data are underestimated: R&D in the government sector covers central government units only and companies between 10 to 49 employees are excluded from the coverage. In 1995, performance data of the higher education sector exclude most or all capital expenditure. From 1981 to 1991, business enterprise sector, government sector and PNP sector exclude R&D in the social sciences and humanities. As of 1998, excluding funding by public research foundations. As of 2023, a break in the time series occurs due to a methodological change in data collection.
⁹⁾ As of 2017, GBARD data are derived from a funder-based approach (performer-based approach before 2017). Before 1994, GBARD did not include the public sector financed R&D mandates.
¹⁰⁾ Until 2006, excluding R&D in the social sciences and humanities.
¹¹⁾ As of 2022, business R&D data are based on an expanded coverage survey (larger sample size) and additional methodological improvements.
¹²⁾ Excludes most or all capital expenditure (included in the business enterprise and government sectors only). Until 2002, the higher education sector excludes R&D in the social sciences and humanities. As of 2021, the increase in R&D capital expenditure in the business enterprise sector is due to a methodological change in data collection.
¹³⁾ Nominal expenditure converted into US dollar purchasing power parities.
¹⁴⁾ The figures are based on years for that data are available.

m = data not available.

Last update: April 13, 2026