Research and development expenditure in Pakistan

Pakistan: Research and development expenditure was 0.2% in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
0.2%
Change on year
down 0.2%
World rank
94th
of 116 countries
All-time high
0.5%
in 2007
All-time low
0.1%
in 2000
Years of data
16
1997–2023

Research and development expenditure in Pakistan, 1997–2023

0.10.20.30.40.51997201020231997: 0.156 % of GDP1998: 0.109 % of GDP1999: 0.116 % of GDP2000: 0.095 % of GDP2001: 0.124 % of GDP2002: 0.162 % of GDP2005: 0.329 % of GDP2007: 0.523 % of GDP2009: 0.402 % of GDP2011: 0.305 % of GDP2013: 0.262 % of GDP2015: 0.222 % of GDP2017: 0.212 % of GDP2019: 0.175 % of GDP2021: 0.164 % of GDP2023: 0.164 % of GDP

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for research and development expenditure in Pakistan is 0.2%, measured in 2023.

The figure is down 0.2% on the previous year and down 37.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research and development expenditure in Pakistan peaked at 0.5% in 2007 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 2000.

That places Pakistan 94th out of 116 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.

Research and development expenditure in Pakistan, year by year

Annual values for Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) in Pakistan, 1997 to 2023.
Year % of GDP Change
1997 0.2%
1998 0.1% -29.8%
1999 0.1% +6.1%
2000 0.1% -17.7%
2001 0.1% +30.1%
2002 0.2% +30.8%
2005 0.3% +103.0%
2007 0.5% +58.9%
2009 0.4% -23.2%
2011 0.3% -24.2%
2013 0.3% -14.1%
2015 0.2% -15.2%
2017 0.2% -4.4%
2019 0.2% -17.6%
2021 0.2% -6.0%
2023 0.2% -0.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 0.1% 0.1% 0.2% 3
2000s 0.3% 0.1% 0.5% 6
2010s 0.2% 0.2% 0.3% 5
2020s 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 2

Countries ranked near Pakistan

  1. 91 Seychelles 0.2% compare
  2. 92 Panama 0.2% compare
  3. 93 Peru 0.2% compare
  4. 95 Kazakhstan 0.2% compare
  5. 96 Mali 0.1% compare
  6. 97 Paraguay 0.1% compare

See the full ranking of 147 places →

More science & technology data for Pakistan

All data for Pakistan →

Frequently asked questions

What is research and development expenditure in Pakistan?
Research and development expenditure in Pakistan was 0.2% in 2023, according to Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest research and development expenditure recorded in Pakistan?
The highest recorded value was 0.5% in 2007.
What is the lowest research and development expenditure recorded in Pakistan?
The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 2000.
How does Pakistan rank for research and development expenditure?
Pakistan ranks 94th out of 116 countries with data for 2023.
Is research and development expenditure rising or falling in Pakistan?
Over the last ten years it is down 37.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Pakistan 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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Research and development expenditure in Pakistan. Statizoid, drawing on Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 25 August 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/research-and-development-expenditure-percent-of-gdp/pakistan/

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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.