Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Thailand

Thailand: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP was 0.9% in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
0.9%
Change on year
down 19.2%
World rank
48th
of 121 countries
All-time high
1.3%
in 2020
All-time low
0.2%
in 2007
Years of data
22
2000–2023

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Thailand, 2000–2023

0.250.50.7511.22000201120232000: 0.245 %2001: 0.252 %2002: 0.231 %2003: 0.245 %2004: 0.238 %2005: 0.219 %2006: 0.233 %2007: 0.201 %2008: 0.203 %2009: 0.235 %2011: 0.361 %2013: 0.442 %2014: 0.48 %2015: 0.616 %2016: 0.778 %2017: 1 %2018: 1.1 %2019: 1.1 %2020: 1.3 %2021: 1.2 %2022: 1.2 %2023: 0.936 %

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in %.

Analysis

Thailand recorded 0.9% for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in 2023.

The figure is down 19.2% on the previous year and up 112.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Thailand peaked at 1.3% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0.2%, in 2007.

That places Thailand 48th out of 121 countries with data for 2023, putting it 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 Thailand, year by year

Annual values for Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%) in Thailand, 2000 to 2023.
Year % Change
2000 0.2%
2001 0.3% +3.1%
2002 0.2% -8.6%
2003 0.2% +6.4%
2004 0.2% -2.9%
2005 0.2% -8.1%
2006 0.2% +6.3%
2007 0.2% -13.7%
2008 0.2% +1.2%
2009 0.2% +15.4%
2011 0.4% +54.1%
2013 0.4% +22.2%
2014 0.5% +8.7%
2015 0.6% +28.4%
2016 0.8% +26.3%
2017 1.0% +28.7%
2018 1.1% +11.2%
2019 1.1% +2.6%
2020 1.3% +16.2%
2021 1.2% -9.0%
2022 1.2% -4.1%
2023 0.9% -19.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 10
2010s 0.7% 0.4% 1.1% 8
2020s 1.2% 0.9% 1.3% 4

Countries ranked near Thailand

  1. 45 Serbia 0.9% compare
  2. 46 Russian Federation 0.9% compare
  3. 46 Russian Federation 0.9% compare
  4. 49 Latvia 0.8% compare
  5. 50 Kenya 0.8% compare
  6. 51 Bulgaria 0.8% compare

See the full ranking of 143 places →

More economy & growth data for Thailand

All data for Thailand →

Frequently asked questions

What is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Thailand?
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in Thailand was 0.9% in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in Thailand?
The highest recorded value was 1.3% in 2020.
What is the lowest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in Thailand?
The lowest recorded value was 0.2% in 2007.
How does Thailand rank for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
Thailand ranks 48th out of 121 countries with data for 2023.
Is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp rising or falling in Thailand?
Over the last ten years it is up 112.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Thailand 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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Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in Thailand. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/stat/research-and-development-expenditure-as-a-proportion-of-gdp-percent/thailand/

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About this data

Indicator
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%)
Unit
%
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