South African National Survey of Research and Experimental Development: key sector results and trends: government sector R&D at a glance. Fact sheet 37

SECTOR R&D at a glance In 2019/20, government spent R1.894 billion on R&D investment in South Africa, a decrease from the R2.223 billion reported in 2018/19. The majority of R&D by government departments is focused on applied research to address the societal challenges in the country. In line with national priorities, government expenditure on R&D was largely concentrated within the agricultural, social sciences, and medical and health sciences.