Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Colombia

Colombia: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 0.3% in 2020. ▲ Rising

Latest (2020)
0.3%
Change on year
down 10.1%
World rank
76th
of 116 countries
All-time high
0.4%
in 2015
All-time low
0.1%
in 2000
Years of data
21
2000–2020

Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Colombia, 2000–2020

00.10.20.30.42000201020202000: 0.131 % of GDP2001: 0.133 % of GDP2002: 0.156 % of GDP2003: 0.174 % of GDP2004: 0.17 % of GDP2005: 0.166 % of GDP2006: 0.164 % of GDP2007: 0.183 % of GDP2008: 0.195 % of GDP2009: 0.194 % of GDP2010: 0.194 % of GDP2011: 0.198 % of GDP2012: 0.221 % of GDP2013: 0.258 % of GDP2014: 0.303 % of GDP2015: 0.365 % of GDP2016: 0.271 % of GDP2017: 0.261 % of GDP2018: 0.312 % of GDP2019: 0.322 % of GDP2020: 0.289 % of GDP

Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.

Analysis

The most recent figure for research & development spending as a share of gdp in Colombia is 0.3%, measured in 2020.

The figure is down 10.1% on the previous year and up 49.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Colombia peaked at 0.4% in 2015 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 2000.

Colombia ranks 76th of 116 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 21 years of available data.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 0.2% 0.1% 0.2% 10
2010s 0.3% 0.2% 0.4% 10
2020s 0.3% 0.3% 0.3% 1

Countries ranked near Colombia

  1. 73 Venezuela 0.3% compare
  2. 74 Macao 0.3% compare
  3. 75 Mozambique 0.3% compare
  4. 77 Armenia 0.3% compare
  5. 78 Indonesia 0.3% compare
  6. 79 Zambia 0.3% compare

See the full ranking of 116 places →

More science & technology data for Colombia

All data for Colombia →

Frequently asked questions

What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Colombia?
Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Colombia was 0.3% in 2020, 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 Colombia?
The highest recorded value was 0.4% in 2015.
What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Colombia?
The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 2000.
How does Colombia rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
Colombia ranks 76th out of 116 countries with data for 2020.
Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in Colombia?
Over the last ten years it is up 49.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Colombia 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

Indicator
Research & development spending as a share of GDP
Unit
% of GDP
Source
UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
116 places, 2,375 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

Includes basic research, applied research, and experimental development.