Research & development spending as a share of GDP in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 1.5% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in United Arab Emirates, 2011–2021
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 United Arab Emirates stood at 1.5%. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.4% on the previous year and up 216.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in United Arab Emirates peaked at 1.5% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.5%, in 2011.
That places United Arab Emirates 28th out of 116 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 0.9% | 0.5% | 1.3% | 6 |
| 2020s | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 2 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More science & technology data for United Arab Emirates
- Scientific and technical journal articles 7,075 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 22.41 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 203.21 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 203.21 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 2,354 (2021)
- Share of the population using the Internet 100.0% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 69 (2021)
- Research and development expenditure 1.5% (2021)
- Number of people using the Internet 9.79 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 40.84 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in United Arab Emirates?
- Research & development spending as a share of gdp in United Arab Emirates was 1.5% 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 United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 1.5% in 2021.
- What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.5% in 2011.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 28th out of 116 countries with data for 2021.
- Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 216.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates 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.