Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Uganda

Uganda: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 0.4% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
0.4%
World rank
64th
of 116 countries
All-time high
0.4%
in 2023
All-time low
0.1%
in 2014
Years of data
11
2002–2023

Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Uganda, 2002–2023

0.10.20.30.42002201220232002: 0.368 % of GDP2003: 0.256 % of GDP2004: 0.261 % of GDP2005: 0.215 % of GDP2006: 0.3 % of GDP2007: 0.388 % of GDP2008: 0.326 % of GDP2009: 0.255 % of GDP2010: 0.36 % of GDP2014: 0.143 % of GDP2023: 0.438 % 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 2023, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Uganda stood at 0.4%. That is the highest value across all 11 years on record.

The figure is up 207.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Uganda peaked at 0.4% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 2014.

Uganda ranks 64th of 116 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 11 years of available data.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 0.3% 0.2% 0.4% 8
2010s 0.3% 0.1% 0.4% 2
2020s 0.4% 0.4% 0.4% 1

Countries ranked near Uganda

  1. 61 Algeria 0.4% compare
  2. 62 Cuba 0.4% compare
  3. 62 Ecuador 0.4% compare
  4. 65 Vietnam 0.4% compare
  5. 66 Democratic Republic of Congo 0.4% compare
  6. 67 Chile 0.4% compare

See the full ranking of 116 places →

More science & technology data for Uganda

All data for Uganda →

Frequently asked questions

What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Uganda?
Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Uganda was 0.4% in 2023, 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 Uganda?
The highest recorded value was 0.4% in 2023.
What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Uganda?
The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 2014.
How does Uganda rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
Uganda ranks 64th out of 116 countries with data for 2023.
Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in Uganda?
Over the last ten years it is up 207.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Uganda 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.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

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.