Myanmar R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Myanmar's r&d spending was -0.01% in 2025, ranked 78th globally. This represents a 148.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1997–2025.
Overview
Myanmar's r&d spending stood at -0.01% in 2025, a decline of +0.04% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.01% by 2025. Myanmar ranked 78th globally.
Myanmar’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development has slipped into negative territory, registering –0.01 % of GDP in 2025 and ranking 78th globally, the lowest point since the series began in 1997 when it stood at 0.06 % of GDP. The indicator reached its highest level of 0.16 % of GDP in 2002, after which a gradual decline set in, culminating in the current trough. Over the 14‑year coverage period the country’s R&D share has fallen more sharply than that of peers such as Kyrgyz Republic (0.05 % in 2025) and Mongolia (0.09 % in 2025), suggesting a relative erosion of research capacity. The persistent downturn reflects constrained public financing, limited private sector participation and ongoing political and economic instability. If policy reforms were to channel greater fiscal resources toward universities, innovation hubs and industrial R&D, the downward trajectory could be reversed and the sector’s contribution to growth revitalised.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.04% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.01% | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.01% | −0.04% | #78 |
| 2023 | 0.02% | −0.01% | #27 |
| 2022 | 0.04% | −0.09% | #77 |
| 2021 | 0.12% | −0.03% | #79 |
| 2020 | 0.16% | +0.07% | #77 |
| 2019 | 0.08% | +0.02% | #92 |
| 2018 | 0.06% | +0.03% | #91 |
| 2017 | 0.03% | −0.13% | #93 |
| 2002 | 0.16% | +0.09% | #77 |
| 2001 | 0.07% | −0.04% | #76 |
| 2000 | 0.11% | +0.07% | #68 |
| 1999 | 0.04% | +0.01% | #69 |
| 1998 | 0.03% | −0.03% | #67 |
| 1997 | 0.06% | – | #68 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Myanmar matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2009. 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
Myanmar's r&d spending was -0.01% in 2025. Ranked 78th globally. This represents a 148.4% decrease from the previous year.
Myanmar's r&d spending peaked at 0.16% in 2002.
The lowest r&d spending in Myanmar was -0.01% in 2025.
Myanmar ranks 78th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Myanmar's r&d spending is projected to reach -0.01% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Myanmar in 2025 was -0.01%. This ranks 78th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_myanmar_rd-spending,
title = {Myanmar R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/myanmar/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}