Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP was 0.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Saudi Arabia, 2003–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Saudi Arabia stood at 0.6%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 28.4% on the previous year and down 19.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Saudi Arabia peaked at 0.9% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 2005.
Saudi Arabia ranks 59th of 121 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 0.1% | — |
| 2004 | 0.1% | -14.7% |
| 2005 | 0.0% | -20.4% |
| 2006 | 0.0% | +0.4% |
| 2007 | 0.0% | +6.5% |
| 2008 | 0.0% | +8.4% |
| 2009 | 0.1% | +49.7% |
| 2010 | 0.9% | +1104.7% |
| 2011 | 0.9% | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 0.9% | -3.1% |
| 2013 | 0.8% | -7.9% |
| 2020 | 0.5% | -39.8% |
| 2021 | 0.4% | -17.3% |
| 2022 | 0.4% | +5.2% |
| 2023 | 0.5% | +19.4% |
| 2024 | 0.6% | +28.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.1% | 0.0% | 0.1% | 7 |
| 2010s | 0.9% | 0.8% | 0.9% | 4 |
| 2020s | 0.5% | 0.4% | 0.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Saudi Arabia
More economy & growth data for Saudi Arabia
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 2.26 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 3.52 Percent per annum (2029)
- Gross capital formation (current US$), annual growth rate 1.66 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current US$), per unit of GDP 0.3163 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current US$), per capita 10,922 current US$ per person (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current LCU), annual growth rate 1.66 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current LCU), per unit of GDP 1.19 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross capital formation (current LCU), per capita 40,958 current LCU per person (2025)
- Gross capital formation (constant 2015 US$), annual growth rate 3.93 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross capital formation (constant 2015 US$), per unit of GDP 0.2241 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Saudi Arabia?
- Research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Saudi Arabia was 0.6% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 0.9% in 2011.
- What is the lowest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 2005.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 59th out of 121 countries with data for 2024.
- Is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp rising or falling in Saudi Arabia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 19.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Saudi Arabia data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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