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

Latest (2017)
0.3%
World rank
81st
of 116 countries
All-time high
0.6%
in 2013
All-time low
0.2%
in 2007
Years of data
5
2005–2017

Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Ethiopia, 2005–2017

0.20.30.40.50.62005201120172005: 0.179 % of GDP2007: 0.171 % of GDP2010: 0.241 % of GDP2013: 0.605 % of GDP2017: 0.274 % 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

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.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 0.2% 0.2% 0.2% 2
2010s 0.4% 0.2% 0.6% 3

Countries ranked near Ethiopia

  1. 78 Indonesia 0.3% compare
  2. 79 Zambia 0.3% compare
  3. 80 Philippines 0.3% compare
  4. 82 Georgia 0.3% compare
  5. 83 Mauritius 0.3% compare
  6. 84 Mexico 0.3% compare

See the full ranking of 116 places →

More science & technology data for Ethiopia

All data for Ethiopia →

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

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.