Nikolina Brnjac· PPE

Overestimated

The United States invests over 3.5% of GDP in research and development

Omissions

• The most recent official data available is from 2023, showing 3.1% of GDP, not over 3.5%
• The speaker does not specify the time period or source for the 3.5% figure
• 2024 data may not have been finalized by the time of the speech (March 2026)
• R&D-to-GDP ratio can be calculated using different methodologies (NSF vs OECD), which may yield slightly different results

Sources

• PrimaryNational Science Foundation - National Center for Science and Engineering StatisticsU.S. R&D was 3.2% of GDP in 2022 and 3.1% of GDP in 2023
• SecondaryConversable Economist - Timothy TaylorUS R&D spending projected to reach 'about 3.5% of GDP' in 2024 due to increased investment