Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Iran
Iran: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 0.7% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Iran, 2001–2021
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 Iran stood at 0.7%.
The figure is down 7.8% on the previous year and up 174.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iran peaked at 0.8% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 0.2%, in 2013.
That places Iran 49th out of 116 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.5% | 0.3% | 0.6% | 8 |
| 2010s | 0.5% | 0.2% | 0.8% | 6 |
| 2020s | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More science & technology data for Iran
- Scientific and technical journal articles 55,085 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 159.39 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 174.07 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 174.07 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 581 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 85.3% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 10,210 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 0.7% (2021)
- Number of people using the Internet 69.52 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 12.06 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iran?
- Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iran was 0.7% 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 Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 0.8% in 2019.
- What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2% in 2013.
- How does Iran rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
- Iran ranks 49th out of 116 countries with data for 2021.
- Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 174.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iran 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.