{"version":1,"asset_type":"statistical_series","data_type":"time_series","slug":"za-rd-expenditure-gdp","url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/za-rd-expenditure-gdp","html_url":"https://apiardata.com/statistics/za-rd-expenditure-gdp/","title":"South Africa Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP) (2022)","description":"South Africa's Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP): 0.6 % of GDP in 2022, unchanged YoY. World Bank (GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS), 1997–2022.","domain":"macro","category":"Economy & Macro","keywords":["Economy & Macro","World Bank","South Africa","2022"],"publisher":"World Bank","frequency":"Annual","geography":"South Africa","temporal_coverage":"1997/2022","unit":"% of GDP","last_updated":"2026-07-26","last_updated_text":"26 July 2026","data_as_of":"2022","variable_measured":"South Africa 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=ZA"}],"meta":[{"label":"Frequency","value":"Annual"},{"label":"Coverage","value":"1997–2022"},{"label":"Observations","value":"22"},{"label":"Geography","value":"South Africa"},{"label":"Last updated","value":"26 July 2026"}],"kpis":[{"label":"South Africa (2022)","value":"0.6","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":"22","unit":"years of data"}],"series":[{"key":"value","label":"South Africa Research & Development Expenditure (% of GDP)"}],"observation_count":22,"observations":[{"period":"1997","value":0.52694},{"period":"2001","value":0.64224},{"period":"2003","value":0.6765},{"period":"2004","value":0.72681},{"period":"2005","value":0.77024},{"period":"2006","value":0.80291},{"period":"2007","value":0.79364},{"period":"2008","value":0.80567},{"period":"2009","value":0.74993},{"period":"2010","value":0.66284},{"period":"2011","value":0.66753},{"period":"2012","value":0.66934},{"period":"2013","value":0.6633},{"period":"2014","value":0.70987},{"period":"2015","value":0.73147},{"period":"2016","value":0.74992},{"period":"2017","value":0.76257},{"period":"2018","value":0.68586},{"period":"2019","value":0.61304},{"period":"2020","value":0.60296},{"period":"2021","value":0.6139},{"period":"2022","value":0.61479}],"table":{"columns":[{"key":"year","label":"Year"},{"key":"value","label":"% of GDP"},{"key":"yoyChange","label":"YoY Change"}],"rows":[{"year":"2022","value":"0.6","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2021","value":"0.6","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2020","value":"0.6","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2019","value":"0.6","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2018","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2017","value":"0.8","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2016","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2015","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2014","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2013","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2012","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2011","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2010","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2009","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"-0.1pp"},{"year":"2008","value":"0.8","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2007","value":"0.8","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2006","value":"0.8","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2005","value":"0.8","yoyChange":"+0.1pp"},{"year":"2004","value":"0.7","yoyChange":"unchanged"},{"year":"2003","value":"0.7","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 South Africa 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 2022. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. The series runs 1997–2022 (22 observations)."},{"question":"What is the long-term trend?","answer":"The series peaked at 0.8 % of GDP in 2008 and reached its lowest recorded value of 0.5 in 1997. The latest reading of 0.6 in 2022 is unchanged on the previous period."}]}