Uruguay R&D Spending
Research and development expenditure as % of GDP GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
Uruguay's r&d spending was 0.74% in 2025, ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 18.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Uruguay's r&d spending stood at 0.74% in 2025, a rise of +0.12% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.74% by 2025. Uruguay ranked 43rd globally.
Uruguay’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) has risen steadily over the 25‑year span from 0.27 % of GDP in 1996 to 0.74 % in 2025, placing the country 43rd globally and matching its all‑time peak in the same year. The low point of 0.19 % occurred in 1998, after which a gradual upward trajectory emerged, driven by expanded public funding and targeted incentives for private‑sector innovation. Compared with peers of similar ranking, Uruguay’s 2025 level exceeds Malta’s 0.69 % and approaches Namibia’s 0.78 %, suggesting that its policy mix is yielding results comparable to other emerging economies that have prioritized science and technology. The sustained increase reflects broader regional efforts to diversify away from traditional agriculture toward knowledge‑intensive sectors. Maintaining this momentum will likely require continued investment in higher education, stronger industry‑university linkages, and improved absorptive capacity for foreign research collaborations, which could further lift Uruguay’s R&D intensity in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | R&D Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 0.74% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.74% | +0.12% | #43 |
| 2022 | 0.63% | +0.01% | #42 |
| 2021 | 0.61% | −0.06% | #50 |
| 2020 | 0.67% | +0.11% | #46 |
| 2019 | 0.57% | +0.06% | #55 |
| 2018 | 0.50% | +0.06% | #53 |
| 2017 | 0.44% | +0.07% | #58 |
| 2016 | 0.37% | +0.02% | #59 |
| 2015 | 0.35% | +0.03% | #70 |
| 2014 | 0.32% | +0.03% | #63 |
| 2013 | 0.29% | −0.02% | #70 |
| 2012 | 0.31% | −0.02% | #61 |
| 2011 | 0.33% | +0.00% | #62 |
| 2010 | 0.33% | −0.07% | #68 |
| 2009 | 0.40% | +0.03% | #60 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uruguay 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
Uruguay's r&d spending was 0.74% in 2025. Ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 18.5% increase from the previous year.
Uruguay's r&d spending peaked at 0.74% in 2025.
The lowest r&d spending in Uruguay was 0.19% in 1998.
Uruguay ranks 43rd globally in r&d spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Uruguay's r&d spending is projected to reach 0.74% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The r&d spending of Uruguay in 2025 was 0.74%. This ranks 43rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uruguay_rd-spending,
title = {Uruguay R&D Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uruguay/rd-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}