R&D tax expenditure and direct government funding of BERD — Sum of in South Africa
South Africa: R&D tax expenditure and direct government funding of BERD — Sum of was 0.0129 Percentage of GDP in 2023. ◆ Volatile
R&D tax expenditure and direct government funding of BERD — Sum of in South Africa, 2001–2023
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Percentage of GDP.
Analysis
In 2023, r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd — sum of in South Africa stood at 0.0129 Percentage of GDP.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 11.6% on the previous year and down 44.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd — sum of in South Africa peaked at 0.0725 Percentage of GDP in 2005 and was at its lowest, 0.009 Percentage of GDP, in 2018.
That places South Africa 33rd out of 37 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 — Sum of 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% |
| 2012 | 0.0282 Percentage of GDP | -61.1% |
| 2013 | 0.0232 Percentage of GDP | -17.7% |
| 2014 | 0.022 Percentage of GDP | -5.2% |
| 2015 | 0.0165 Percentage of GDP | -25.0% |
| 2016 | 0.0154 Percentage of GDP | -6.7% |
| 2017 | 0.0119 Percentage of GDP | -22.7% |
| 2018 | 0.009 Percentage of GDP | -24.4% |
| 2019 | 0.0161 Percentage of GDP | +78.9% |
| 2020 | 0.0149 Percentage of GDP | -7.5% |
| 2021 | 0.0172 Percentage of GDP | +15.4% |
| 2022 | 0.0146 Percentage of GDP | -15.1% |
| 2023 | 0.0129 Percentage of GDP | -11.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 0.0129 Percentage of GDP is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.0148 Percentage of GDP, 87% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where R&D tax expenditure and direct government funding of BERD — Sum of in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | +130.2% | 0.0315 Percentage of GDP | 0.0725 Percentage of GDP |
| 2019 | +78.9% | 0.009 Percentage of GDP | 0.0161 Percentage of GDP |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.0377 Percentage of GDP | 0.0242 Percentage of GDP | 0.0725 Percentage of GDP | 5 |
| 2010s | 0.0178 Percentage of GDP | 0.009 Percentage of GDP | 0.0282 Percentage of GDP | 8 |
| 2020s | 0.0149 Percentage of GDP | 0.0129 Percentage of GDP | 0.0172 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 — sum of in South Africa?
- R&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd — sum of in South Africa was 0.0129 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 — sum of recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 0.0725 Percentage of GDP in 2005.
- What is the lowest r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd — sum of recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.009 Percentage of GDP in 2018.
- How does South Africa rank for r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd — sum of?
- South Africa ranks 33rd out of 37 countries with data for 2023.
- Is r&d tax expenditure and direct government funding of berd — sum of rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 44.4%. 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 — Sum of tax incentive support for business R&D (GTARD) and 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.