Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Iraq

Iraq: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 0.0% in 2021. ▬ Flat

Latest (2021)
0.0%
Change on year
up 0.4%
World rank
112th
of 116 countries
All-time high
0.0%
in 2017
All-time low
0.0%
in 2019
Years of data
13
2007–2021

Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Iraq, 2007–2021

00.010.020.030.040.052007201420212007: 0.046 % of GDP2008: 0.034 % of GDP2009: 0.046 % of GDP2010: 0.037 % of GDP2011: 0.035 % of GDP2014: 0.038 % of GDP2015: 0.04 % of GDP2016: 0.037 % of GDP2017: 0.046 % of GDP2018: 0.043 % of GDP2019: 0.033 % of GDP2020: 0.041 % of GDP2021: 0.041 % 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

In 2021, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iraq stood at 0.0%.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 17.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iraq peaked at 0.0% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 2019.

That places Iraq 112th out of 116 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 3
2010s 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 8
2020s 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 2

Countries ranked near Iraq

  1. 109 Honduras 0.1% compare
  2. 110 Kyrgyzstan 0.1% compare
  3. 111 Trinidad and Tobago 0.1% compare
  4. 113 United States Virgin Islands 0.0% compare
  5. 114 Myanmar 0.0% compare
  6. 115 Madagascar 0.0% compare

See the full ranking of 116 places →

More science & technology data for Iraq

All data for Iraq →

Frequently asked questions

What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iraq?
Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Iraq was 0.0% 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 Iraq?
The highest recorded value was 0.0% in 2017.
What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Iraq?
The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 2019.
How does Iraq rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
Iraq ranks 112th out of 116 countries with data for 2021.
Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in Iraq?
Over the last ten years it is up 17.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this Iraq 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.