Kazakhstan R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Kazakhstan's r&d spending was 0.14% in 2025, ranked 69th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1997–2025.
Overview
Kazakhstan's r&d spending stood at 0.14% in 2025, a rise of +0.00% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.14% by 2025. Kazakhstan ranked 69th globally.
Kazakhstan’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has fallen markedly since the 28‑year series began, slipping from an all‑time peak of 0.29 % of GDP in 1997 to a trough of 0.12 % in 2018 before modestly rebounding to 0.14 % in 2025, which places the country 69th globally. This decline contrasts with the more stable R&D shares of regional peers such as Azerbaijan (0.15 %) and Pakistan (0.14 %) in the same year, suggesting that Kazakhstan’s innovation intensity is lagging behind comparable economies. The downward trajectory coincides with periods of reduced public investment in science and limited private sector participation, factors identified in World Bank analyses of post‑Soviet transition economies. Although the 2025 figure signals a slight recovery, sustained growth will likely require targeted policy measures, increased funding for higher‑education research, and stronger industry‑academia linkages to reverse the long‑term downward trend.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.15% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.14% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.14% | +0.00% | #69 |
| 2023 | 0.14% | +0.03% | #23 |
| 2022 | 0.12% | −0.01% | #70 |
| 2021 | 0.13% | +0.00% | #78 |
| 2020 | 0.13% | +0.01% | #81 |
| 2019 | 0.12% | +0.00% | #86 |
| 2018 | 0.12% | −0.01% | #82 |
| 2017 | 0.13% | −0.02% | #83 |
| 2016 | 0.14% | −0.03% | #78 |
| 2015 | 0.17% | +0.00% | #82 |
| 2014 | 0.17% | −0.00% | #75 |
| 2013 | 0.17% | +0.01% | #78 |
| 2012 | 0.17% | +0.01% | #73 |
| 2011 | 0.15% | +0.00% | #74 |
| 2010 | 0.15% | −0.08% | #80 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kazakhstan 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
Kazakhstan's r&d spending was 0.14% in 2025. Ranked 69th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Kazakhstan's r&d spending peaked at 0.29% in 1997.
The lowest r&d spending in Kazakhstan was 0.12% in 2018.
Kazakhstan ranks 69th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kazakhstan's r&d spending is projected to reach 0.14% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Kazakhstan in 2025 was 0.14%. This ranks 69th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kazakhstan_rd-spending,
title = {Kazakhstan R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kazakhstan/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}