Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 0.3% in 2017. ◆ Volatile
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Ethiopia, 2005–2017
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
Ethiopia recorded 0.3% for research & development spending as a share of gdp in 2017.
That represents a change of up 60.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Ethiopia peaked at 0.6% in 2013 and was at its lowest, 0.2%, in 2007.
That places Ethiopia 81st out of 116 countries with data for 2017, putting it in the middle of the range.
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 0.2% | — |
| 2007 | 0.2% | -4.6% |
| 2010 | 0.2% | +41.2% |
| 2013 | 0.6% | +150.5% |
| 2017 | 0.3% | -54.6% |
Ethiopia compared with similar countries
- Ethiopia's 0.3% is above the median for low income countries, which is 0.2%, 1.2× the median. (9 countries reporting)
- Ethiopia's 0.3% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 0.3%, 1.0× the median. (15 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.2% | 0.2% | 0.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.6% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
More science & technology data for Ethiopia
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 65.08 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 0.6508 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0006 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 85.95 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 68.28 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 8.7 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 11.54 % change on previous year (2024)
- Scientific and technical journal articles 6,728 (2023)
- Scientific and technical journal articles, per capita 0.0001 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Ethiopia?
- Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Ethiopia was 0.3% in 2017, 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 Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 0.6% in 2013.
- What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2% in 2007.
- How does Ethiopia rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
- Ethiopia ranks 81st out of 116 countries with data for 2017.
- Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 60.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ethiopia 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.