Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Bolivia
Bolivia: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 0.1% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Bolivia, 1996–2021
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2021, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Bolivia stood at 0.1%. That is the lowest value across all 11 years on record.
The figure is down 5.0% on the previous year and down 59.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Bolivia peaked at 0.3% in 1996 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 2021.
Bolivia ranks 108th of 116 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 11 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.3% | 0.3% | 0.3% | 4 |
| 2000s | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 4 |
| 2010s | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 2 |
| 2020s | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Bolivia
- 105 Tajikistan 0.1% compare
- 106 Kuwait 0.1% compare
- 107 Mongolia 0.1% compare
- 109 Honduras 0.1% compare
- 110 Kyrgyzstan 0.1% compare
- 111 Trinidad and Tobago 0.1% compare
More science & technology data for Bolivia
- Scientific and technical journal articles 196.72 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 12.17 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 98.03 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 98.03 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 227 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 79.7% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 5 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 0.1% (2021)
- Number of people using the Internet 7.88 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 12.07 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Bolivia?
- Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Bolivia was 0.1% in 2021, according to UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Bolivia?
- The highest recorded value was 0.3% in 1996.
- What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Bolivia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 2021.
- How does Bolivia rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
- Bolivia ranks 108th out of 116 countries with data for 2021.
- Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in Bolivia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 59.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Bolivia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Research & development spending as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Includes basic research, applied research, and experimental development.