Research and development expenditure in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: Research and development expenditure was 0.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Research and development expenditure in Saudi Arabia, 2003–2024
Source: Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
Saudi Arabia recorded 0.6% for research and development expenditure in 2024.
The figure is up 28.4% on the previous year and down 19.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research and development expenditure in Saudi Arabia peaked at 0.9% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 2005.
Saudi Arabia ranks 55th of 116 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 in Saudi Arabia, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | 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 science & technology data for Saudi Arabia
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 159.54 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.53 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 54.18 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 24.41 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 1.12 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 3.24 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 24,595 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0007 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research and development expenditure in Saudi Arabia?
- Research and development expenditure in Saudi Arabia was 0.6% 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 Saudi Arabia?
- The highest recorded value was 0.9% in 2011.
- What is the lowest research and development expenditure recorded in Saudi Arabia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 2005.
- How does Saudi Arabia rank for research and development expenditure?
- Saudi Arabia ranks 55th out of 116 countries with data for 2024.
- Is research and development expenditure 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 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
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.