Chile R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Chile's r&d spending was 0.36% in 2021, ranked 60th globally. This represents a 7.5% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 2007–2021.
Overview
Chile's r&d spending stood at 0.36% in 2021, a rise of +0.03% from 2020. Chile ranked 60th globally.
Chile’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has remained modest over the 15‑year series, rising from an all‑time trough of 0.31 % of GDP in 2007 to a peak of 0.39 % in 2013 before slipping to 0.36 % in 2021, placing the country 60th globally. The incremental increase after 2007 reflects gradual policy attention to innovation, yet the post‑peak decline suggests that recent fiscal constraints or competing priorities have limited further progress. Compared with peers of similar ranking, Mauritius records 0.37 % and North Macedonia also posts 0.37 %, indicating that Chile’s current level is only marginally above the lower‑end of its peer group, while Cuba’s 0.32 % underscores the variability among middle‑income economies. The modest upward swing since the trough demonstrates that targeted incentives can lift R&D intensity, but sustaining growth will likely require stronger public‑private collaboration, increased university funding, and a clearer national innovation strategy to reverse the recent downward drift.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0.36% | +0.03% | #60 |
| 2020 | 0.34% | −0.01% | #59 |
| 2019 | 0.34% | −0.03% | #65 |
| 2018 | 0.37% | +0.01% | #59 |
| 2017 | 0.36% | −0.01% | #62 |
| 2016 | 0.37% | −0.01% | #60 |
| 2015 | 0.38% | +0.01% | #66 |
| 2014 | 0.38% | −0.01% | #60 |
| 2013 | 0.39% | +0.03% | #62 |
| 2012 | 0.36% | +0.01% | #57 |
| 2011 | 0.35% | +0.02% | #59 |
| 2010 | 0.33% | −0.02% | #67 |
| 2009 | 0.35% | −0.02% | #63 |
| 2008 | 0.37% | +0.06% | #60 |
| 2007 | 0.31% | – | #62 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Chile matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2010. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw r&d spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Chile's r&d spending was 0.36% in 2021. Ranked 60th globally. This represents a 7.5% increase from the previous year.
Chile's r&d spending peaked at 0.39% in 2013.
The lowest r&d spending in Chile was 0.31% in 2007.
Chile ranks 60th globally in r&d spending as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The r&d spending of Chile in 2021 was 0.36%. This ranks 60th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_chile_rd-spending,
title = {Chile R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/chile/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}