{"version":1,"asset_type":"statistical_series","data_type":"time_series","slug":"ae-rd-expenditure-gdp","url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/ae-rd-expenditure-gdp","html_url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/ae-rd-expenditure-gdp/","title":"United Arab Emirates Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP) (2021)","description":"United Arab Emirates's Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP): 1.5 % of GDP in 2021, unchanged YoY. World Bank (GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS), 2011–2021.","domain":"macro","category":"Economy & Macro","keywords":["Economy & Macro","World Bank","United Arab Emirates","2021"],"publisher":"World Bank","frequency":"Annual","geography":"United Arab Emirates","temporal_coverage":"2011/2021","unit":"% of GDP","last_updated":"2026-07-26","last_updated_text":"26 July 2026","data_as_of":"2021","variable_measured":"United Arab Emirates Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP)","license":"https://apiardata.com/data-license","is_accessible_for_free":true,"sources":[{"name":"World Bank","url":"https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS?locations=AE"}],"meta":[{"label":"Frequency","value":"Annual"},{"label":"Coverage","value":"2011–2021"},{"label":"Observations","value":"8"},{"label":"Geography","value":"United Arab Emirates"},{"label":"Last updated","value":"26 July 2026"}],"kpis":[{"label":"United Arab Emirates (2021)","value":"1.5","unit":"% of GDP","trend":{"direction":"neutral","value":"unchanged YoY"}},{"label":"YoY Change","value":"unchanged","unit":"percentage points"},{"label":"Trend","value":"neutral","unit":""},{"label":"Series length","value":"8","unit":"years of data"}],"series":[{"key":"value","label":"United Arab Emirates Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP)"}],"observation_count":8,"observations":[{"period":"2011","value":0.47252},{"period":"2014","value":0.67523},{"period":"2015","value":0.86569},{"period":"2016","value":0.9318},{"period":"2018","value":1.26389},{"period":"2019","value":1.31065},{"period":"2020","value":1.48831},{"period":"2021","value":1.49469}],"table":{"columns":[{"key":"year","label":"Year"},{"key":"value","label":"% of GDP"},{"key":"yoyChange","label":"Change"}],"rows":[{"year":"2021","value":"1.5","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2020","value":"1.5","yoyChange":"+0.2pp"},{"year":"2019","value":"1.3","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2018","value":"1.3","yoyChange":"+0.4pp"},{"year":"2016","value":"0.9","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2015","value":"0.9","yoyChange":"+0.2pp"},{"year":"2014","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"+0.2pp"},{"year":"2011","value":"0.5","yoyChange":"n/a"}]},"qa":[{"question":"What does this indicator measure?","answer":"This page tracks total R&D expenditure (public + private) as a share of GDP in United Arab Emirates from 1996 to present. R&D intensity is a leading indicator of innovation capability and future economic productivity. It is published by World Bank and updated annually."},{"question":"How current is this data?","answer":"The most recent observation covers 2021. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. The series runs 2011–2021 (8 observations)."},{"question":"What is the long-term trend?","answer":"The series peaked at 1.5 % of GDP in 2021 and reached its lowest recorded value of 0.5 in 2011. The latest reading of 1.5 in 2021 is unchanged on the previous period."}]}