South African National Survey of Research and Experimental Development: key sector results and trends: government sector R&D at a glance. Fact sheet 28

Government plays a central role as both a funder and a performer of research in South Africa. In 2018/19, government funded 47.5% of R&D performed in South Africa, equivalent to R17.475 billion. The major beneficiaries of government R&D funding in 2018/19 were higher education institutions and science councils. In line with national priorities, government expenditure on R&D was largely concentrated within the medical and health sciences, social sciences, and agricultural sciences.