Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Uruguay
Uruguay: Research & development spending as a share of GDP was 0.7% in 2023. ▲ Rising
Research & development spending as a share of GDP in Uruguay, 1996–2023
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
Uruguay recorded 0.7% for research & development spending as a share of gdp in 2023. That is the highest value across all 25 years on record.
The figure is up 12.8% on the previous year and up 141.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, research & development spending as a share of gdp in Uruguay peaked at 0.7% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 0.2%, in 1998.
Uruguay ranks 50th of 116 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 25 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.3% | 4 |
| 2000s | 0.4% | 0.2% | 0.5% | 7 |
| 2010s | 0.4% | 0.3% | 0.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 0.7% | 0.6% | 0.7% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Uruguay
More science & technology data for Uruguay
- Scientific and technical journal articles 1,060 (2023)
- Mobile phone subscriptions 4.93 million (2024)
- Mobile phone subscriptions per 100 people 145.5 per 100 people (2024)
- Mobile and landline phone subscriptions per 100 people 145.5 per 100 people (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 500 (2017)
- Share of the population using the Internet 92.0% (2024)
- Patent applications, residents 23 (2017)
- Research and development expenditure 0.7% (2023)
- Number of people using the Internet 2.98 million users (2021)
- Landline Internet subscriptions per 100 people 33.04 per 100 people (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is research & development spending as a share of gdp in Uruguay?
- Research & development spending as a share of gdp in Uruguay was 0.7% 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 Uruguay?
- The highest recorded value was 0.7% in 2023.
- What is the lowest research & development spending as a share of gdp recorded in Uruguay?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2% in 1998.
- How does Uruguay rank for research & development spending as a share of gdp?
- Uruguay ranks 50th out of 116 countries with data for 2023.
- Is research & development spending as a share of gdp rising or falling in Uruguay?
- Over the last ten years it is up 141.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Uruguay 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.