Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Kenya
Kenya: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 0.8% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Kenya, 2007–2024
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
Kenya recorded 0.8% for research & development spending as a share of gdp in 2024. That is the highest value across all 5 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.8% on the previous year and up 17.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Kenya peaked at 0.8% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 2007.
Kenya ranks 46th of 116 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 1 |
| 2010s | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 1 |
| 2020s | 0.7% | 0.4% | 0.8% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More science & technology data for Kenya
- Scientific and technical journal articles 2,079 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 71.38 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 126.48 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 126.48 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 37 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 35.0% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 160 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 0.8% (2024)
- Number of people using the Internet 14.35 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 3.04 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Kenya?
- Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Kenya was 0.8% in 2024, 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 Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 0.8% in 2024.
- What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 2007.
- How does Kenya rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
- Kenya ranks 46th out of 116 countries with data for 2024.
- Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Kenya 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.