Research and development expenditure in Kuwait

Kuwait: Research and development expenditure was 0.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
0.1%
Change on year
down 6.2%
World rank
106th
of 116 countries
All-time high
0.4%
in 2014
All-time low
0.1%
in 2018
Years of data
27
1997–2024

Research and development expenditure in Kuwait, 1997–2024

0.10.20.30.41997201020241997: 0.205 % of GDP1998: 0.258 % of GDP1999: 0.198 % of GDP2000: 0.125 % of GDP2001: 0.179 % of GDP2002: 0.18 % of GDP2003: 0.143 % of GDP2004: 0.13 % of GDP2005: 0.101 % of GDP2006: 0.085 % of GDP2007: 0.086 % of GDP2008: 0.086 % of GDP2009: 0.112 % of GDP2010: 0.101 % of GDP2011: 0.099 % of GDP2012: 0.097 % of GDP2013: 0.302 % of GDP2014: 0.427 % of GDP2015: 0.097 % of GDP2016: 0.08 % of GDP2017: 0.08 % of GDP2018: 0.063 % of GDP2019: 0.185 % of GDP2020: 0.178 % of GDP2022: 0.08 % of GDP2023: 0.095 % of GDP2024: 0.09 % of GDP

Source: Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of GDP.

Analysis

In 2024, research and development expenditure in Kuwait stood at 0.1%.

The figure is down 6.2% on the previous year and down 79.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research and development expenditure in Kuwait peaked at 0.4% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 2018.

Kuwait ranks 106th of 116 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 3
2000s 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 10
2010s 0.2% 0.1% 0.4% 10
2020s 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 4

Countries ranked near Kuwait

  1. 103 Lesotho 0.1% compare
  2. 104 Turkmenistan 0.1% compare
  3. 105 Tajikistan 0.1% compare
  4. 107 Mongolia 0.1% compare
  5. 108 Bolivia 0.1% compare
  6. 109 Honduras 0.1% compare

See the full ranking of 147 places →

More science & technology data for Kuwait

All data for Kuwait →

Frequently asked questions

What is research and development expenditure in Kuwait?
Research and development expenditure in Kuwait was 0.1% in 2024, according to Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest research and development expenditure recorded in Kuwait?
The highest recorded value was 0.4% in 2014.
What is the lowest research and development expenditure recorded in Kuwait?
The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 2018.
How does Kuwait rank for research and development expenditure?
Kuwait ranks 106th out of 116 countries with data for 2024.
Is research and development expenditure rising or falling in Kuwait?
Over the last ten years it is down 79.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Kuwait data come from?
The figures come from Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Research and development expenditure (% of GDP). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Research and development expenditure (% of GDP)
Unit
% of GDP
Source
Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
147 places, 3,092 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

Gross domestic expenditures on research and development (R&D), expressed as a percent of GDP. They include both capital and current expenditures in the four main sectors: Business enterprise, Government, Higher education and Private non-profit. R&D covers basic research, applied research, and experimental development.