2025 STI Indicators Report

This report consolidates data from reliable local and
international sources to provide a clear, evidence-based
picture of our nation’s science, technology, and innovation
(STI) landscape. By identifying key trends and their drivers,
this publication aims to stimulate further investigation and
policy dialogue to strengthen the NSI and advance South
Africa’s socioeconomic development. The 2025 report
highlights the opportunities and challenges facing South
Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
The global STI landscape is marked by stark contrasts: highincome
countries and China lead with 1,266.6 and 1,154.7
patent applications per million population, respectively, while
South Africa’s applications declined from 39 to 18.6 per
million population between 2022 and 2023. South Africa’s
research and development (R&D) as a percentage of GDP
expenditure remains low at 0.61% of GDP. In contrast, Asia
is rising with 46% of global R&D expenditure, and Africa
lags behind, with an average of 3.4 patent applications per
million population, and R&D expenditure below 1% of GDP
in most countries. These figures underscore the urgent
need to bolster investment in R&D to enhance our global
competitiveness, where we currently rank 69th in the Global
Innovation Index (GII) 2024.