Belarus R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Belarus's r&d spending was 0.50% in 2025, ranked 48th globally. This represents a 13.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Belarus's r&d spending stood at 0.50% in 2025, a decline of +0.08% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.50% by 2025. Belarus ranked 48th globally.
Belarus's research and development spending has experienced a significant decline since its peak in 1996, when it reached 1.00% of GDP. The country's commitment to R&D has continued to dwindle, with the latest available data from 2025 indicating a spending rate of 0.50% of GDP, ranking 48th globally. This is a stark contrast to South Africa, which ranks higher with a spending rate of 0.56% in 2025. Belarus's R&D spending has been on a downward trajectory since 1996, with a notable trough in 2021 at 0.46% of GDP. With a 29-year coverage, the trend suggests a steady decline in investment in research and development. To reverse this trend, Belarus may need to invest in education and innovation infrastructure to boost its R&D capabilities and compete with its peers, such as Romania, which has maintained a relatively stable R&D spending rate of 0.43% of GDP since 1996.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.49% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.50% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.50% | −0.08% | #48 |
| 2023 | 0.58% | +0.10% | #7 |
| 2022 | 0.47% | +0.01% | #46 |
| 2021 | 0.46% | −0.08% | #53 |
| 2020 | 0.54% | −0.04% | #51 |
| 2019 | 0.58% | −0.03% | #54 |
| 2018 | 0.60% | +0.02% | #49 |
| 2017 | 0.58% | +0.08% | #50 |
| 2016 | 0.50% | +0.00% | #52 |
| 2015 | 0.50% | −0.01% | #56 |
| 2014 | 0.51% | −0.15% | #53 |
| 2013 | 0.65% | +0.01% | #46 |
| 2012 | 0.65% | −0.03% | #47 |
| 2011 | 0.68% | +0.01% | #45 |
| 2010 | 0.67% | +0.05% | #42 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Belarus matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw r&d spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Belarus's r&d spending was 0.50% in 2025. Ranked 48th globally. This represents a 13.4% decrease from the previous year.
Belarus's r&d spending peaked at 1.00% in 1996.
The lowest r&d spending in Belarus was 0.46% in 2021.
Belarus ranks 48th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Belarus's r&d spending is projected to reach 0.50% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Belarus in 2025 was 0.50%. This ranks 48th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_belarus_rd-spending,
title = {Belarus R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/belarus/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}