Pretoria, Wednesday 28 October 2026 – South Africa’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (R&D) increased to R44.237 billion in 2024/25, according to the latest National R&D Survey. However, real R&D expenditure declined by 1.9%, resulting in R&D intensity falling from 0.62% of GDP in 2023/24 to 0.60% in 2024/25. The findings suggest that, despite continued investment in research, growth in R&D spending has not kept pace with economic activity, highlighting persistent pressures on the country’s innovation system.
Business-sector decline offset by higher education
“The results show that South Africa’s research system remains resilient, but the decline in business-sector investment is a cause for concern,” said Dr Nazeem Mustapha, HSRC research director and the R&D survey’s principal investigator. “Sustained growth in research and innovation requires stronger participation from the private sector alongside continued public investment.”
Business-sector R&D expenditure fell by R742 million to R14.369 billion, reducing its share of total GERD from 34.8% to 32.5%. The decline in business R&D expenditure was driven primarily by lower investment in mining and quarrying, manufacturing and agriculture.
Higher education was the main contributor to growth in South Africa’s R&D spending, increasing expenditure by R919 million to R16.713 billion. The sector accounted for 37.8% of total gross domestic expenditure on R&D (GERD), maintaining its position as the country’s largest R&D performer for the sixth consecutive year.
Other notable findings
South Africa’s research workforce continued to grow in 2024/25, with the number of R&D personnel increasing by 1 004 to 90 608 and the number of researchers rising to 66 858.
Women drove all net growth in the researcher workforce during the year, with the number of female researchers increasing by 581 to 32 219. As a result, women represented 48.2% of all researchers, marking continued progress towards gender parity in the national research system.
Gauteng reinforced its position as the country’s R&D hub, with 39.6% of expenditure (R17.538 billion). The Western Cape continued its steady growth in national R&D activity at 28.0% (R12.406 billion), followed by KwaZulu-Natal, which contributed 9.0% (R 3.970 billion). Increases in R&D spending were evident in several other provinces, highlighting a gradual broadening of research investment beyond the traditional centres of activity.
Among all fields, ICT recorded the largest increase in R&D expenditure, rising by R853 million, underscoring the growing importance of digital technologies in South Africa’s research and innovation landscape.
Looking ahead
The 2024/25 R&D Survey presents a nuanced picture of South Africa’s research landscape. The findings highlight the importance of strengthening private-sector participation in research and innovation while sustaining gains in higher education and advancing strategic national research priorities.
Click here to access the results of the South African National Survey of Research and Experimental Development Statistical Report 2024/25.
ENDS.
For media enquiries, please contact Adziliwi Nematandani: Cell: +27 82 765 9191 Email: anematandani@hsrc.ac.za
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Notes to the editor
About the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
Established in 1968, the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) is South Africa’s statutory research agency and the largest dedicated social science and humanities research institute on the African continent. The HSRC generates evidence and insights that inform public policy, support development and improve lives. Through high-quality research, strategic partnerships and research capacity development, the Council contributes to evidence-informed decision-making in South Africa, Africa and globally.
Click https://repository.hsrc.ac.za/ to search the HSRC Research Output Repository.