Mauritius R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Mauritius's r&d spending was 0.20% in 2025, ranked 61st globally. This represents a 15.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1997–2025.
Overview
Mauritius's r&d spending stood at 0.20% in 2025, a decline of +0.04% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.20% by 2025. Mauritius ranked 61st globally.
Mauritius’ gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has shown a gradual decline since the 1997 level of 0.28 % of GDP, reaching a low of 0.18 % in 2012 before a modest rebound to an all‑time peak of 0.40 % in 2020. By 2025 the share had fallen to 0.20 % of GDP, placing the island nation at rank 61 globally. This recent figure aligns closely with that of Armenia (0.20 %) and exceeds Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 0.19 % while trailing Georgia’s 0.21 %. The post‑peak contraction suggests that the surge associated with the 2020 pandemic‑driven stimulus may have been temporary, and the current level reflects a stabilization rather than a sustained upward trajectory. Continued policy emphasis on innovation ecosystems, higher education linkages and foreign‑direct investment in high‑tech sectors will be essential if Mauritius hopes to reverse the recent downward drift and achieve a durable increase in R&D intensity.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.16% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.20% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.20% | −0.04% | #61 |
| 2023 | 0.23% | −0.07% | #16 |
| 2022 | 0.31% | −0.06% | #56 |
| 2021 | 0.37% | −0.04% | #59 |
| 2020 | 0.40% | +0.05% | #57 |
| 2019 | 0.36% | +0.02% | #64 |
| 2018 | 0.33% | −0.02% | #61 |
| 2017 | 0.35% | +0.18% | #64 |
| 2012 | 0.18% | −0.18% | #71 |
| 2005 | 0.36% | −0.01% | #59 |
| 2004 | 0.36% | +0.04% | #56 |
| 2003 | 0.32% | −0.04% | #60 |
| 2002 | 0.36% | +0.01% | #52 |
| 2001 | 0.36% | +0.08% | #53 |
| 2000 | 0.28% | −0.03% | #55 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mauritius 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
Mauritius's r&d spending was 0.20% in 2025. Ranked 61st globally. This represents a 15.5% decrease from the previous year.
Mauritius's r&d spending peaked at 0.40% in 2020.
The lowest r&d spending in Mauritius was 0.18% in 2012.
Mauritius ranks 61st globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mauritius's r&d spending is projected to reach 0.20% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Mauritius in 2025 was 0.20%. This ranks 61st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mauritius_rd-spending,
title = {Mauritius R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mauritius/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}