Qatar R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Qatar's r&d spending was 0.68% in 2021, ranked 47th globally. This represents a 28.1% increase from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 2012–2021.
Overview
Qatar's r&d spending stood at 0.68% in 2021, a rise of +0.15% from 2018. Qatar ranked 47th globally.
Qatar's research and development (R&D) spending has demonstrated a gradual increase over the past decade, with the latest available data from the World Bank indicating a value of 0.68 in 2021. This represents a notable improvement from the all-time trough of 0.48 recorded in 2012, marking a 42% growth in R&D spending over the period. Comparatively, Qatar's R&D spending lags behind that of peer countries, with Iran, Islamic Republic of ranking 10th globally with a value of 0.73 in 2021. The recent surge in R&D spending is likely driven by Qatar's efforts to diversify its economy and develop a knowledge-based sector, in line with the country's National Vision 2030. However, to sustain this growth and move closer to the global average, Qatar will need to invest in education and training programs that foster innovation and entrepreneurship, potentially leading to increased R&D spending in the years to come.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0.68% | +0.15% | #47 |
| 2018 | 0.53% | +0.01% | #52 |
| 2015 | 0.52% | +0.04% | #55 |
| 2012 | 0.48% | – | #52 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Qatar matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2022. 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
Qatar's r&d spending was 0.68% in 2021. Ranked 47th globally. This represents a 28.1% increase from the previous year.
Qatar's r&d spending peaked at 0.68% in 2021.
The lowest r&d spending in Qatar was 0.48% in 2012.
Qatar ranks 47th globally in r&d spending as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The r&d spending of Qatar in 2021 was 0.68%. This ranks 47th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_qatar_rd-spending,
title = {Qatar R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/qatar/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}