Mexico R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Mexico's r&d spending was 0.25% in 2025, ranked 56th globally. This represents a 5.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Mexico's r&d spending stood at 0.25% in 2025, a decline of +0.01% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.25% by 2025. Mexico ranked 56th globally.
Mexico's research and development spending has experienced significant fluctuations over the past three decades, with a notable peak in 2010 when it reached 0.47 of the country's GDP. However, this momentum was short-lived, and R&D spending has been steadily declining since, with the latest available data from 2025 indicating a value of 0.25, ranking Mexico at 56 globally. This downward trend is somewhat mirrored in neighboring countries such as Ukraine, which also reports a relatively modest R&D spending of 0.26, suggesting that regional economic factors may be at play. On the other hand, countries like Costa Rica, with an R&D spending of 0.23, demonstrate that even lower-income nations can achieve higher R&D intensities. To reverse its current trajectory, Mexico would need to revitalize its investment in research and development, potentially through targeted government initiatives, to stay competitive in the global economy.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.25% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.25% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.25% | −0.01% | #56 |
| 2023 | 0.27% | +0.01% | #13 |
| 2022 | 0.26% | −0.02% | #58 |
| 2021 | 0.27% | −0.02% | #64 |
| 2020 | 0.29% | +0.02% | #63 |
| 2019 | 0.28% | −0.02% | #69 |
| 2018 | 0.30% | −0.02% | #64 |
| 2017 | 0.32% | −0.06% | #66 |
| 2016 | 0.38% | −0.04% | #58 |
| 2015 | 0.41% | −0.00% | #63 |
| 2014 | 0.42% | +0.01% | #57 |
| 2013 | 0.41% | +0.01% | #61 |
| 2012 | 0.40% | −0.05% | #56 |
| 2011 | 0.45% | −0.02% | #56 |
| 2010 | 0.47% | +0.02% | #55 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Mexico matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 1999. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw r&d spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Mexico's r&d spending was 0.25% in 2025. Ranked 56th globally. This represents a 5.4% decrease from the previous year.
Mexico's r&d spending peaked at 0.47% in 2010.
The lowest r&d spending in Mexico was 0.24% in 1996.
Mexico ranks 56th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Mexico's r&d spending is projected to reach 0.25% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Mexico in 2025 was 0.25%. This ranks 56th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_mexico_rd-spending,
title = {Mexico R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/mexico/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}