The global higher education expenditure on R&D in social sciences is led by Germany, followed by the United Kingdom and Italy. In 2023, notable year-on-year growth was observed in Poland, with a significant increase of 14.78%, alongside gains in other Eastern European countries such as Lithuania and Slovenia. Germany and Spain showed moderate growth, while Portugal and Estonia experienced the least growth. Iceland's expenditure increased markedly by 7.49%, whereas Estonia saw a slight decline. Overall, the landscape exhibits diverse growth rates across countries, with emerging economies displaying stronger growth momentum.
Future trends to watch include continued growth in Eastern European countries driven by increased investment in academic research. Additionally, emerging Asian economies, particularly South Korea and Taiwan, are poised for robust growth as they focus on enhancing their social sciences R&D. Digital transformation and interdisciplinary research will also play critical roles in shaping future expenditures.
Top countries in Higher Education Expenditure on R&D in Social Sciences Share by Country (Million US Dollars PPP)
| # | 10 Countries | Percent | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Germany | 24.09 | 2023 | +3.82% | +4.36% | View data |
| 2 | 2 United Kingdom | 17.47 | 2023 | +1.82% | +1.56% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Italy | 10.5 | 2023 | +2.08% | +3.77% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Spain | 10.1 | 2023 | +3.05% | +4.37% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Netherlands | 7.5 | 2023 | +2.29% | +5.77% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Poland | 6.37 | 2023 | +9.04% | +14.78% | View data |
| 7 | 7 South Korea | 4.13 | 2023 | +3.06% | +5.67% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Russia | 4.08 | 2023 | +3.33% | +2.76% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Norway | 3.92 | 2023 | +2.72% | +4.01% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Finland | 2.58 | 2023 | +2.82% | +2.98% | View data |
