The R&D intensity reflects the share of R&D expenditure by companies, universities and the state in gross domestic product as a measure of the intensity with which an economy invests in research and development as a proportion of GDP.¹

The R&D intensity in Germany was 3.13 percent in 2020. Although this was slightly lower than in the previous year, it was still higher than in previous years. By far the highest R&D intensity of all the countries of comparison in 2020 was achieved by South Korea with 4.81 percent, while in the USA it rose significantly from 3.07 percent in 2019 to 3.45 percent in 2020. China's R&D intensity grew somewhat less strongly, increasing by 0.17 percentage points compared to the previous year to 2.40 percent in 2020.

After achieving the goal of an R&D intensity in Germany of 3 percent for the first time in 2017, the Federal Government is now pursuing the goal of achieving an R&D intensity of 3.5 percent by 2025.