Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP was 1.5% in 2021. ▲ Rising

Latest (2021)
1.5%
Change on year
up 0.4%
World rank
31st
of 121 countries
All-time high
1.5%
in 2021
All-time low
0.5%
in 2011
Years of data
8
2011–2021

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in United Arab Emirates, 2011–2021

0.50.7511.21.52011201620212011: 0.473 %2014: 0.675 %2015: 0.866 %2016: 0.932 %2018: 1.3 %2019: 1.3 %2020: 1.5 %2021: 1.5 %

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in United Arab Emirates is 1.5%, measured in 2021. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 216.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in United Arab Emirates peaked at 1.5% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.5%, in 2011.

United Arab Emirates ranks 31st of 121 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP in United Arab Emirates, year by year

Annual values for Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP (%) in United Arab Emirates, 2011 to 2021.
Year % Change
2011 0.5%
2014 0.7% +42.9%
2015 0.9% +28.2%
2016 0.9% +7.6%
2018 1.3% +35.6%
2019 1.3% +3.7%
2020 1.5% +13.6%
2021 1.5% +0.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2010s 0.9% 0.5% 1.3% 6
2020s 1.5% 1.5% 1.5% 2

Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates

  1. 28 Ireland 1.6% compare
  2. 29 Poland 1.6% compare
  3. 30 New Zealand 1.5% compare
  4. 32 Greece 1.5% compare
  5. 33 Spain 1.5% compare
  6. 34 Türkiye 1.4% compare
  7. 34 Türkiye 1.4% compare

See the full ranking of 143 places →

More economy & growth data for United Arab Emirates

All data for United Arab Emirates →

Frequently asked questions

What is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in United Arab Emirates?
Research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp in United Arab Emirates was 1.5% in 2021, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in United Arab Emirates?
The highest recorded value was 1.5% in 2021.
What is the lowest research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp recorded in United Arab Emirates?
The lowest recorded value was 0.5% in 2011.
How does United Arab Emirates rank for research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp?
United Arab Emirates ranks 31st out of 121 countries with data for 2021.
Is research and development expenditure as a proportion of gdp rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
Over the last ten years it is up 216.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://economy.statizoid.com/stat/research-and-development-expenditure-as-a-proportion-of-gdp-percent/united-arab-emirates/

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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