Türkiye R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Türkiye's r&d spending was 1.43% in 2025, ranked 26th globally. This represents a 8.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Türkiye's r&d spending stood at 1.43% in 2025, a rise of +0.11% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.43% by 2025. Türkiye ranked 26th globally.
Turkey’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development has risen steadily over the 28‑year series, moving from a low of 0.36 % of GDP in 1998 to a peak of 1.43 % in 2025, the highest level recorded in the series and placing the country 26th globally. The early years showed modest investment, with the earliest 1996 figure at 0.45 %, but the upward trajectory accelerated after the turn of the millennium, reflecting policy incentives and expanding university‑industry collaborations. By 2025 Turkey’s R&D intensity slightly exceeds Italy’s 1.39 % and trails Norway’s 1.37 %, while remaining below Spain’s 1.62 % and Hungary’s 1.49 %, underscoring its position among upper‑middle‑income economies that are narrowing the gap with more research‑intensive peers. Continued growth will depend on sustaining public funding, enhancing private sector participation and improving the innovation ecosystem, factors that could push the share of GDP higher and improve Turkey’s ranking in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 1.43% | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.43% | +0.11% | #26 |
| 2022 | 1.32% | −0.08% | #28 |
| 2021 | 1.40% | +0.03% | #32 |
| 2020 | 1.37% | +0.05% | #30 |
| 2019 | 1.32% | +0.05% | #31 |
| 2018 | 1.27% | +0.09% | #26 |
| 2017 | 1.18% | +0.06% | #32 |
| 2016 | 1.12% | +0.15% | #31 |
| 2015 | 0.97% | +0.11% | #38 |
| 2014 | 0.86% | +0.04% | #35 |
| 2013 | 0.81% | −0.01% | #37 |
| 2012 | 0.83% | +0.03% | #36 |
| 2011 | 0.79% | +0.00% | #36 |
| 2010 | 0.79% | −0.01% | #34 |
| 2009 | 0.80% | +0.12% | #38 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Türkiye matched the Stagflation Risk pattern in 2020. Historically, 38% of countries showing this pattern (117 out of 307) saw r&d spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Türkiye's r&d spending was 1.43% in 2025. Ranked 26th globally. This represents a 8.1% increase from the previous year.
Türkiye's r&d spending peaked at 1.43% in 2025.
The lowest r&d spending in Türkiye was 0.36% in 1998.
Türkiye ranks 26th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Türkiye's r&d spending is projected to reach 1.43% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Türkiye in 2025 was 1.43%. This ranks 26th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_turkiye_rd-spending,
title = {Türkiye R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/turkiye/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}