Uganda R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Uganda's r&d spending was 0.26% in 2025, ranked 54th globally. This represents a 15.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2002–2025.
Overview
Uganda's r&d spending stood at 0.26% in 2025, a decline of +0.05% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.26% by 2025. Uganda ranked 54th globally.
Uganda’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has slipped from a high of 0.39 % of GDP in 2007 to a historic low of 0.14 % in 2014, before modestly recovering to 0.26 % in 2025, a level that places the country 54th globally. The decline after the 2007 peak coincided with reduced public funding and limited private sector participation, while the 2014 trough reflects a period of fiscal tightening and competing development priorities. The recent uptick to 0.26 % narrows the gap with peers such as Ukraine, which records the same share, but remains well below the 0.36 % observed in Macao SAR and Oman. Over the 12‑year coverage span, Uganda’s R&D intensity has averaged roughly one‑third of the regional benchmark, indicating persistent underinvestment in knowledge‑intensive activities. Strengthening university‑industry linkages and expanding fiscal incentives for innovation could accelerate the upward trajectory and bring Uganda closer to the R&D spending levels of its more research‑oriented counterparts.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.26% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.26% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.26% | −0.05% | #54 |
| 2023 | 0.31% | +0.17% | #12 |
| 2014 | 0.14% | −0.22% | #77 |
| 2010 | 0.36% | +0.10% | #66 |
| 2009 | 0.26% | −0.07% | #68 |
| 2008 | 0.33% | −0.06% | #63 |
| 2007 | 0.39% | +0.09% | #57 |
| 2006 | 0.30% | +0.09% | #62 |
| 2005 | 0.22% | −0.05% | #73 |
| 2004 | 0.26% | +0.00% | #67 |
| 2003 | 0.26% | −0.11% | #68 |
| 2002 | 0.37% | – | #51 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uganda matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2011. 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
Uganda's r&d spending was 0.26% in 2025. Ranked 54th globally. This represents a 15.5% decrease from the previous year.
Uganda's r&d spending peaked at 0.39% in 2007.
The lowest r&d spending in Uganda was 0.14% in 2014.
Uganda ranks 54th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Uganda's r&d spending is projected to reach 0.26% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Uganda in 2025 was 0.26%. This ranks 54th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_rd-spending,
title = {Uganda R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}