Research and development expenditure in Thailand

Thailand: Research and development expenditure was 0.9% in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
0.9%
Change on year
down 19.2%
World rank
44th
of 116 countries
All-time high
1.3%
in 2020
All-time low
0.1%
in 1997
Years of data
25
1996–2023

Research and development expenditure in Thailand, 1996–2023

00.250.50.7511.21996200920231996: 0.119 % of GDP1997: 0.102 % of GDP1999: 0.248 % of GDP2000: 0.245 % of GDP2001: 0.252 % of GDP2002: 0.231 % of GDP2003: 0.245 % of GDP2004: 0.238 % of GDP2005: 0.219 % of GDP2006: 0.233 % of GDP2007: 0.201 % of GDP2008: 0.203 % of GDP2009: 0.235 % of GDP2011: 0.361 % of GDP2013: 0.442 % of GDP2014: 0.48 % of GDP2015: 0.616 % of GDP2016: 0.778 % of GDP2017: 1 % of GDP2018: 1.1 % of GDP2019: 1.1 % of GDP2020: 1.3 % of GDP2021: 1.2 % of GDP2022: 1.2 % of GDP2023: 0.936 % of GDP

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

Analysis

In 2023, research and development expenditure in Thailand stood at 0.9%.

That represents a change of down 19.2% on the previous year and up 112.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research and development expenditure in Thailand peaked at 1.3% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 1997.

That places Thailand 44th out of 116 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 in Thailand, year by year

Annual values for Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) in Thailand, 1996 to 2023.
Year % of GDP Change
1996 0.1%
1997 0.1% -14.3%
1999 0.2% +143.2%
2000 0.2% -1.5%
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
1990s 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 3
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. 41 Malaysia 1.0% compare
  2. 42 Serbia 0.9% compare
  3. 43 Russian Federation 0.9% compare
  4. 45 Latvia 0.8% compare
  5. 46 Kenya 0.8% compare
  6. 47 Bulgaria 0.8% compare

See the full ranking of 147 places →

More science & technology data for Thailand

All data for Thailand →

Frequently asked questions

What is research and development expenditure in Thailand?
Research and development expenditure in Thailand was 0.9% 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 Thailand?
The highest recorded value was 1.3% in 2020.
What is the lowest research and development expenditure recorded in Thailand?
The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 1997.
How does Thailand rank for research and development expenditure?
Thailand ranks 44th out of 116 countries with data for 2023.
Is research and development expenditure 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 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 Thailand. Statizoid, drawing on Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 24 August 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/research-and-development-expenditure-percent-of-gdp/thailand/

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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.