Kuwait R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Kuwait's r&d spending was 0.09% in 2025, ranked 74th globally. This represents a 3.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1997–2025.
Overview
Kuwait's r&d spending stood at 0.09% in 2025, a decline of +0.00% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.09% by 2025. Kuwait ranked 74th globally.
Kuwait's research and development (R&D) spending has demonstrated a mixed trajectory over the past 27 years. The country peaked in 2014 with an R&D spending rate of 0.43%, however, this figure declined significantly to a trough of 0.06% in 2018, only to rebound somewhat. As of 2025, Kuwait's R&D spending stands at 0.09%, ranking 74th globally. This rate is lower than that of peer countries like Sri Lanka, which has maintained a consistent R&D spending rate of 0.10% over the years. The fluctuations in Kuwait's R&D spending may be attributed to fluctuations in oil prices, a major driver of the country's economy. A sustained increase in R&D spending would require Kuwait to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil exports, which has been a long-standing challenge.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.09% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.09% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.09% | −0.00% | #74 |
| 2023 | 0.10% | +0.02% | #25 |
| 2022 | 0.08% | −0.10% | #73 |
| 2020 | 0.18% | −0.00% | #73 |
| 2019 | 0.19% | +0.12% | #77 |
| 2018 | 0.06% | −0.02% | #90 |
| 2017 | 0.08% | +0.00% | #90 |
| 2016 | 0.08% | −0.02% | #86 |
| 2015 | 0.10% | −0.33% | #97 |
| 2014 | 0.43% | +0.13% | #56 |
| 2013 | 0.30% | +0.20% | #67 |
| 2012 | 0.10% | −0.00% | #79 |
| 2011 | 0.10% | −0.00% | #80 |
| 2010 | 0.10% | −0.01% | #85 |
| 2009 | 0.11% | +0.03% | #82 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. 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
Kuwait's r&d spending was 0.09% in 2025. Ranked 74th globally. This represents a 3.6% decrease from the previous year.
Kuwait's r&d spending peaked at 0.43% in 2014.
The lowest r&d spending in Kuwait was 0.06% in 2018.
Kuwait ranks 74th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kuwait's r&d spending is projected to reach 0.09% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Kuwait in 2025 was 0.09%. This ranks 74th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_rd-spending,
title = {Kuwait R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}