South Africa—R&D Spending (% of GDP)
South Africa's R&D spending (% of GDP) was 0.61% in 2022, ranking #59 out of 114 countries. This represents a +0.1% change from 2021. Over the past 21 years, the highest recorded value was 0.81% (2008) and the lowest was 0.60% (2020). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0.61% | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 0.61% | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 0.60% | -1.6% |
| 2019 | 0.61% | -10.6% |
| 2018 | 0.69% | -10.1% |
| 2017 | 0.76% | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 0.75% | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 0.73% | +3.0% |
| 2014 | 0.71% | +7.0% |
| 2013 | 0.66% | -0.9% |
| 2012 | 0.67% | +0.3% |
| 2011 | 0.67% | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 0.66% | -11.6% |
| 2009 | 0.75% | -6.9% |
| 2008 | 0.81% | +1.5% |
| 2007 | 0.79% | -1.2% |
| 2006 | 0.80% | +4.2% |
| 2005 | 0.77% | +6.0% |
| 2004 | 0.73% | +7.4% |
| 2003 | 0.68% | +5.3% |
| 2001 | 0.64% |
Top Countries — R&D Spending (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Israel | 6.35% | 2023 |
| 2 | Liechtenstein | 6.01% | 2023 |
| 3 | Korea, Rep. | 4.94% | 2023 |
| 4 | Sweden | 3.60% | 2023 |
| 5 | United States | 3.45% | 2023 |
| 6 | Japan | 3.44% | 2023 |
| 7 | Belgium | 3.27% | 2023 |
| 8 | Austria | 3.26% | 2023 |
| 9 | Switzerland | 3.22% | 2023 |
| 10 | Germany | 3.15% | 2023 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.
Methodology
Data compiled by Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), uri: https://databrowser.uis.unesco.org/resources/bulk, publisher: UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), date accessed: 2025-03-26, date published: 2025-02.
Unit
% of GDP