Number of R&D researchers per million people in Kuwait
Kuwait: Number of R&D researchers per million people was 144.75 per million people in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Number of R&D researchers per million people in Kuwait, 1997–2024
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in per million people.
Analysis
In 2024, number of r&d researchers per million people in Kuwait stood at 144.75 per million people.
The figure is down 9.2% on the previous year and down 77.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of r&d researchers per million people in Kuwait peaked at 637.96 per million people in 2014 and was at its lowest, 135.22 per million people, in 2012.
Kuwait ranks 86th of 103 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of R&D researchers per million people in Kuwait, year by year
| Year | per million people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 189.29 per million people | — |
| 1998 | 181.7 per million people | -4.0% |
| 1999 | 174.11 per million people | -4.2% |
| 2000 | 168.08 per million people | -3.5% |
| 2001 | 169.55 per million people | +0.9% |
| 2002 | 170.07 per million people | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 171.66 per million people | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 174.76 per million people | +1.8% |
| 2005 | 176.12 per million people | +0.8% |
| 2006 | 170.94 per million people | -2.9% |
| 2007 | 193.74 per million people | +13.3% |
| 2008 | 156.23 per million people | -19.4% |
| 2009 | 147.62 per million people | -5.5% |
| 2010 | 141.93 per million people | -3.9% |
| 2011 | 136.13 per million people | -4.1% |
| 2012 | 135.22 per million people | -0.7% |
| 2014 | 637.96 per million people | +371.8% |
| 2015 | 405.5 per million people | -36.4% |
| 2016 | 481.99 per million people | +18.9% |
| 2017 | 498.31 per million people | +3.4% |
| 2018 | 502.98 per million people | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 175.34 per million people | -65.1% |
| 2020 | 165.98 per million people | -5.3% |
| 2022 | 176.26 per million people | +6.2% |
| 2023 | 159.38 per million people | -9.6% |
| 2024 | 144.75 per million people | -9.2% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 144.75 per million people is below the median for high income countries, which is 4,601 per million people, 3% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 144.75 per million people is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,102 per million people, 13% of the median. (12 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Number of R&D researchers per million people in Kuwait changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | +371.8% | 135.22 per million people | 637.96 per million people |
| 2019 | -65.1% | 502.98 per million people | 175.34 per million people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 181.7 per million people | 174.11 per million people | 189.29 per million people | 3 |
| 2000s | 169.88 per million people | 147.62 per million people | 193.74 per million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 346.15 per million people | 135.22 per million people | 637.96 per million people | 9 |
| 2020s | 161.59 per million people | 144.75 per million people | 176.26 per million people | 4 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
More science & technology data for Kuwait
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 167.68 (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.67 units per person (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 8.11 million (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 455.32 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -0.3956 % change on previous year (2023)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2023)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 653 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 653 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of r&d researchers per million people in Kuwait?
- Number of r&d researchers per million people in Kuwait was 144.75 per million people 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 number of r&d researchers per million people recorded in Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 637.96 per million people in 2014.
- What is the lowest number of r&d researchers per million people recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 135.22 per million people in 2012.
- How does Kuwait rank for number of r&d researchers per million people?
- Kuwait ranks 86th out of 103 countries with data for 2024.
- Is number of r&d researchers per million people rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is down 77.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kuwait 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 Number of R&D researchers per million people. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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