Australia vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP

Australia
1.9%
in 2021
Sub-Saharan Africa
0.4%
in 2023
Australia rank
20th
Sub-Saharan Africa rank
18th

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP over time

  • Australia
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
0.511.522.5200020112023

How they compare

Australia currently reports 1.9% against 0.4% in Sub-Saharan Africa, a difference of 1.5%.

That makes Australia's figure about 4.9 times Sub-Saharan Africa's.

Across all 12 years both countries report, Australia has been ahead every year.

Australia ranks 20th and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 18th of 121 countries.

Australia has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Australia Sub-Saharan Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 1.9% 0.3% 1.6% Australia
2010s 2.1% 0.4% 1.7% Australia
2020s 1.9% 0.4% 1.5% Australia

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp, Australia or Sub-Saharan Africa?
Australia, at 1.9% against 0.4% in Sub-Saharan Africa as of 2021.
What is the difference in research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp between Australia and Sub-Saharan Africa?
1.5%, with Australia ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Australia and Sub-Saharan Africa?
12 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2021.
How do Australia and Sub-Saharan Africa rank globally for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
Australia ranks 20th and Sub-Saharan Africa ranks 18th of 121 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Australia vs Sub-Saharan Africa: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/compare/research-and-development-expenditure-as-a-proportion-of-gdp-percent/australia/sub-saharan-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%)
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
143 places, 2,753 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed