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  • R&D expenditure increases slightly while R&D intensity is unchanged in 2025

    According to preliminary data, Sweden’s total intramural expenditure on research and development (R&D) amounted to SEK 233.7 billion in 2025 and the number of persons employed in R&D activities amounted to 108 852 full-time equivalents. R&D intensity, i.e. R&D expenditure as a share of GDP, is estimated at 3.51 percent.

  • Expenditure on intramural R&D in Sweden falls for the first time since 2014

    During 2024 the intramural expenditure on research and development (R&D) decreased in fixed prices. This marks the first year since 2014 where a reduction in expenditure in fixed prices was observed. The effect was primarily driven by  the Business enterprise sector which also reduced its employed R&D personnel during the year. In total, the entire Swedish R&D sector comprised of 105 898 full-time equivalents during 2024.

  • Micro enterprises conducted R&D for SEK 3.4 billion in 2023

    During 2023, R&D expenditure in enterprises with 1–9 employees, called micro enterprises, amounted to SEK 3.4 billion, which was 2 percent of total R&D expenditure in the Business enterprise sector. Most micro enterprises belong to service industries, however, their R&D activities were primarily directed towards manufacturing industries, especially basic pharmaceutical products. Strong employment growth among micro enterprises conducting R&D contributes to significant changes in the group over time, with both large out-flow of growing enterprises and in-flow of new start-ups.

  • No increase in R&D expenditure during 2024

    During 2024, total intramural R&D expenditure in Sweden amounted to SEK 230.4 billion and the R&D personnel corresponded to 106 531 full-time equivalents according to preliminary figures. Sweden’s R&D intensity is calculated at 3.6 percent, a decrease by 0.04 percentage points compared to 2023.

  • Swedish enterprises’ R&D investments continues to increase strongly – most R&D intensive in the EU

    In 2023, the business enterprise sector’s intramural research and development (R&D) expenditure amounted to 166,1 billion SEK, an increase of 14,4 SEK billion, or 9,4 percent, in fixed prices compared to 2021. Intramural R&D expenditure as percentage of GDP was 2,68 percent. Except for in 2021, Swedish firms has been the most R&D intensive in the EU in the last decade.