{"version":1,"asset_type":"statistical_series","data_type":"time_series","slug":"sa-rd-expenditure-gdp","url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/sa-rd-expenditure-gdp","html_url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/sa-rd-expenditure-gdp/","title":"Saudi Arabia Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP) (2024)","description":"Saudi Arabia's Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP): 0.6 % of GDP in 2024, +0.1pp YoY. World Bank (GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS), 2003–2024.","domain":"macro","category":"Economy & Macro","keywords":["Economy & Macro","World Bank","Saudi Arabia","2024"],"publisher":"World Bank","frequency":"Annual","geography":"Saudi Arabia","temporal_coverage":"2003/2024","unit":"% of GDP","last_updated":"2026-07-26","last_updated_text":"26 July 2026","data_as_of":"2024","variable_measured":"Saudi Arabia 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=SA"}],"meta":[{"label":"Frequency","value":"Annual"},{"label":"Coverage","value":"2003–2024"},{"label":"Observations","value":"16"},{"label":"Geography","value":"Saudi Arabia"},{"label":"Last updated","value":"26 July 2026"}],"kpis":[{"label":"Saudi Arabia (2024)","value":"0.6","unit":"% of GDP","trend":{"direction":"up","value":"+0.1pp YoY"}},{"label":"YoY Change","value":"+0.1pp","unit":"percentage points"},{"label":"Trend","value":"up","unit":""},{"label":"Series length","value":"16","unit":"years of data"}],"series":[{"key":"value","label":"Saudi Arabia Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP)"}],"observation_count":16,"observations":[{"period":"2003","value":0.06233},{"period":"2004","value":0.05315},{"period":"2005","value":0.0423},{"period":"2006","value":0.04245},{"period":"2007","value":0.04521},{"period":"2008","value":0.04902},{"period":"2009","value":0.07338},{"period":"2010","value":0.884},{"period":"2011","value":0.88541},{"period":"2012","value":0.85824},{"period":"2013","value":0.79069},{"period":"2020","value":0.47618},{"period":"2021","value":0.39379},{"period":"2022","value":0.41439},{"period":"2023","value":0.49487},{"period":"2024","value":0.63522}],"table":{"columns":[{"key":"year","label":"Year"},{"key":"value","label":"% of GDP"},{"key":"yoyChange","label":"Change"}],"rows":[{"year":"2024","value":"0.6","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2023","value":"0.5","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2022","value":"0.4","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2021","value":"0.4","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2020","value":"0.5","yoyChange":"-0.3pp"},{"year":"2013","value":"0.8","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2012","value":"0.9","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2011","value":"0.9","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2010","value":"0.9","yoyChange":"+0.8pp"},{"year":"2009","value":"0.1","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2008","value":"0.0","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2007","value":"0.0","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2006","value":"0.0","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2005","value":"0.0","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2004","value":"0.1","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2003","value":"0.1","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 Saudi Arabia 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 2024. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. The series runs 2003–2024 (16 observations)."},{"question":"What is the long-term trend?","answer":"The series peaked at 0.9 % of GDP in 2011 and reached its lowest recorded value of 0 in 2005. The latest reading of 0.6 in 2024 represents a change of +0.1pp."}]}