R&D expenditure % GDP in South Asia stood at 0.63% of GDP in 2020, according to World Bank. The latest value is down 0.03 percentage points from 0.66% of GDP in 2019. Ten years earlier, in 2010, the value was 0.76% of GDP (down 0.13 percentage points since). The highest value since 1996 was 0.83% of GDP in 2009, the lowest 0.62% of GDP in 1996.
Data source: World Bank · Unit: % of GDP · Category: Technology and Internet · Explore more indicators on EconDash
R&D expenditure % GDP, measured in % of GDP, measures the total economic output of South Asia. It represents the broadest indicator of economic activity, capturing production, income, and expenditure across all sectors — from manufacturing and services to agriculture and government. GDP can be calculated three ways: by adding up all expenditures (consumption + investment + government spending + net exports), by summing all incomes earned, or by totaling value added at each production stage. In South Asia, the statistical agency compiles GDP data through comprehensive surveys of businesses, government records, and household expenditure patterns. While GDP per capita provides insight into average living standards, it does not capture income distribution, environmental costs, or unpaid work like caregiving. Nevertheless, GDP growth remains the most widely followed metric for assessing whether an economy is expanding or contracting.
R&D expenditure % GDP in South Asia stood at 0.63% of GDP in 2020, according to World Bank.
The latest value is down 0.03 percentage points from 0.66% of GDP in 2019. Ten years earlier, in 2010, the value was 0.76% of GDP (down 0.13 percentage points since).
The highest value since 1996 was 0.83% of GDP in 2009, the lowest 0.62% of GDP in 1996.
| Indicator | R&D expenditure % GDP |
|---|---|
| Country | South Asia |
| Category | Technology and Internet |
| Unit | % of GDP |
| Source | World Bank |
| Interactive chart | View on EconDash |
| API access | EconDash API documentation |
Loading chart...
World Bank. (2026). R&D expenditure % GDP — South Asia [Data set]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from EconDash: https://econdash.org/chart/r-and-d-expenditure-percent-gdp/SAS. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS
World Bank. "R&D expenditure % GDP — South Asia." EconDash, 2026, https://econdash.org/chart/r-and-d-expenditure-percent-gdp/SAS. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS.
World Bank. 2026. "R&D expenditure % GDP — South Asia." EconDash. Accessed November 13, 2026. https://econdash.org/chart/r-and-d-expenditure-percent-gdp/SAS. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS.
@misc{econdash_r_and_d_expenditure_percent_gdp_sas,
author = {{World Bank}},
title = {{R\&D expenditure \% GDP --- South Asia}},
howpublished = {EconDash},
year = {2026},
url = {https://econdash.org/chart/r-and-d-expenditure-percent-gdp/SAS},
note = {Accessed: 2026-11-13. Original source: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/GB.XPD.RSDV.GD.ZS}
}Browse indicators available for South Asia. Click any indicator to view its interactive chart, compare with other countries, and download historical data.
| Demographics | 27 indicators |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | 28 indicators |
| Macroeconomics | 95 indicators |
| Education | 8 indicators |
| Commodities and Energy | 76 indicators |
| Technology and Internet | 8 indicators |
| Transport and Logistics | 19 indicators |
| Labor and Employment | 29 indicators |
| Financial Markets | 36 indicators |
| Total indicators | 326 |