R&D tax expenditure and direct government funding of BERD in South Africa
South Africa: R&D tax expenditure and direct government funding of BERD was 0.0077 Percentage of GDP in 2023. ◆ Volatile
R&D tax expenditure and direct government funding of BERD in South Africa, 2001–2023
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Percentage of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd in South Africa is 0.0077 Percentage of GDP, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 17.2% on the previous year and down 56.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd in South Africa peaked at 0.0992 Percentage of GDP in 2007 and was at its lowest, 0.004 Percentage of GDP, in 2018.
That places South Africa 33rd out of 38 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
R&D tax expenditure and direct government funding of BERD in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Percentage of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 0.0331 Percentage of GDP | — |
| 2002 | 0.0274 Percentage of GDP | -17.2% |
| 2003 | 0.0242 Percentage of GDP | -11.7% |
| 2004 | 0.0315 Percentage of GDP | +30.2% |
| 2005 | 0.0725 Percentage of GDP | +130.2% |
| 2006 | 0.0858 Percentage of GDP | +18.3% |
| 2007 | 0.0992 Percentage of GDP | +15.6% |
| 2008 | 0.0983 Percentage of GDP | -0.9% |
| 2009 | 0.0512 Percentage of GDP | -47.9% |
| 2010 | 0.0272 Percentage of GDP | -46.9% |
| 2011 | 0.015 Percentage of GDP | -44.9% |
| 2012 | 0.0192 Percentage of GDP | +28.0% |
| 2013 | 0.0177 Percentage of GDP | -7.8% |
| 2014 | 0.0167 Percentage of GDP | -5.6% |
| 2015 | 0.0118 Percentage of GDP | -29.3% |
| 2016 | 0.0095 Percentage of GDP | -19.5% |
| 2017 | 0.0073 Percentage of GDP | -23.2% |
| 2018 | 0.004 Percentage of GDP | -45.2% |
| 2019 | 0.0115 Percentage of GDP | +187.5% |
| 2020 | 0.0107 Percentage of GDP | -7.0% |
| 2021 | 0.0125 Percentage of GDP | +16.8% |
| 2022 | 0.0093 Percentage of GDP | -25.6% |
| 2023 | 0.0077 Percentage of GDP | -17.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 0.0077 Percentage of GDP is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.0105 Percentage of GDP, 74% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.0581 Percentage of GDP | 0.0242 Percentage of GDP | 0.0992 Percentage of GDP | 9 |
| 2010s | 0.014 Percentage of GDP | 0.004 Percentage of GDP | 0.0272 Percentage of GDP | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.01 Percentage of GDP | 0.0077 Percentage of GDP | 0.0125 Percentage of GDP | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More economy & growth data for South Africa
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 0.4836 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 1.4 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -4.01 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0094 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -61.95 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -2.16 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -192.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0051 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -33.37 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 16.18 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd in South Africa?
- R&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd in South Africa was 0.0077 Percentage of GDP in 2023, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
- What is the highest r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 0.0992 Percentage of GDP in 2007.
- What is the lowest r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.004 Percentage of GDP in 2018.
- How does South Africa rank for r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd?
- South Africa ranks 33rd out of 38 countries with data for 2023.
- Is r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 56.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of R&D tax expenditure and direct government funding of BERD — Government-financed BERD. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The OECD R&D Tax Incentives database provides a set of indicators that reflect the level and structure of central and subnational government support for business R&D in form of R&D tax incentives and direct funding across OECD member countries and other major economies. This includes time-series indicators of tax expenditures for R&D, based on the latest OECD data collection on tax incentive support for R&D expenditures. Estimates of the cost of R&D tax support at subnational government level are reported whenever such provisions are applicable and relevant data are available. These estimates of the cost of central and subnational R&D tax relief have been combined with data on direct government funding of business expenditure on R&D (BERD), as compiled by National Statistical Offices based on reports from firms, in order to provide a more complete picture of government efforts to promote business R&D. Furthermore, these estimates are combined with data on Government budget allocations for R&D (GBARD) in the broader context of overall budgetary support for R&D activities undertaken by governments. Government budget allocations for R&D include direct funding provided to all sectors, including contributions to R&D programmes abroad. OECD (2019) provides a practical guide to using the OECD R&D Tax Incentives database, describing the R&D tax incentive time series data and highlighting their potential for internationally comparative work through descriptive indicators and econometric analysis.