Ukraine R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Ukraine's r&d spending was 0.26% in 2025, ranked 55th globally. This represents a 20.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1997–2025.
Overview
Ukraine's r&d spending stood at 0.26% in 2025, a decline of +0.07% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.26% by 2025. Ukraine ranked 55th globally.
Ukraine’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development has fallen sharply over the 28‑year series, sliding from an all‑time peak of 1.19 percent of GDP in 1997 to a trough of 0.26 percent in 2025, placing it 55th in the world. The decline reflects persistent macro‑economic instability, reduced public financing, and the disruptive impact of the ongoing conflict that began in 2014 and intensified in 2022, which has constrained both public and private innovation capacity. By comparison, peer economies with similar rankings such as Uganda (0.26 percent) and Mexico (0.25 percent) also exhibit modest R&D intensity, yet Ukraine’s drop is more pronounced given its higher starting point. The persistent under‑investment risks widening the gap with more research‑driven economies and undermining long‑term productivity growth. A sustained increase in fiscal allocations to science, technology and innovation, coupled with international partnership programmes, would be required to reverse the downward trajectory and restore a more robust R&D ecosystem.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 0.23% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.26% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.26% | −0.07% | #55 |
| 2023 | 0.33% | −0.00% | #11 |
| 2022 | 0.33% | −0.06% | #55 |
| 2021 | 0.38% | −0.02% | #56 |
| 2020 | 0.40% | −0.03% | #56 |
| 2019 | 0.43% | −0.04% | #60 |
| 2018 | 0.47% | +0.02% | #57 |
| 2017 | 0.45% | −0.03% | #57 |
| 2016 | 0.48% | −0.13% | #54 |
| 2015 | 0.61% | −0.04% | #52 |
| 2014 | 0.65% | −0.08% | #46 |
| 2013 | 0.73% | +0.01% | #41 |
| 2012 | 0.72% | +0.01% | #42 |
| 2011 | 0.71% | −0.09% | #42 |
| 2010 | 0.80% | −0.02% | #33 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ukraine matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw r&d spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ukraine's r&d spending was 0.26% in 2025. Ranked 55th globally. This represents a 20.8% decrease from the previous year.
Ukraine's r&d spending peaked at 1.19% in 1997.
The lowest r&d spending in Ukraine was 0.26% in 2025.
Ukraine ranks 55th globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ukraine's r&d spending is projected to reach 0.26% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Ukraine in 2025 was 0.26%. This ranks 55th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ukraine_rd-spending,
title = {Ukraine R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ukraine/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}