Internal expenditure on research and development in Russia is 0.97%. GDP, which places it below Malaysia (1.01% of GDP), Egypt (1.03% of GDP) and Lithuania (1.05% of GDP).
Such data were presented in the statistical yearbook “Science Indicators–2026”, prepared by the Institute of Statistical Research and Economics of Knowledge at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow.
If this trend continues, Russia may fall out of the group of countries important in global science for years. Falling expenditures are just the beginning.
Compared to Israel, which ranks first in the world in terms of research and development financing (6.35% of GDP), Russia lags behind by more than six times.
Compared to South Korea (4.96% of GDP), the difference is five times, compared to Taiwan (3.97% of GDP) – four times, and compared to countries such as Sweden, the United States, Japan, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Finland and Denmark – from three to three and a half times, which results from statistical data.
In nominal terms, research and development expenditure in the Russian economy in 2024 amounted to 1 trillion 944 billion rubles (approx. PLN 85 500 million). Of this amount, approximately 36%, i.e. 716 billion rubles (approx. PLN 31,500 million), came from the federal budget.
Learning from budget hunger
State spending on civil science currently accounts for 0.36 percent. GDP is the lowest level in at least 15 years. For comparison: in 2010, the federal budget allocated 0.51% to scientific research. GDP, and by 2013 this indicator increased to 0.58%. GDP. In pre-war 2021, budget expenditure on science dropped to 0.47%. GDP, however, after the invasion of Ukraine decreased by a quarter.
The effect is that as of 2025 none of Russia's leading universities is in the top 100 of the world university ranking in terms of scientific achievements prepared by the University of Leiden (Netherlands). The best result – 227th place – was achieved by Moscow State University. Lomonosov, which dropped by 29 positions compared to 2021.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with students of Moscow State Technical University. Bauman in Moscow, April 16, 2025.MIKHAIL METZEL/AFP/East News
The total number of publications by Russian scientists in journals indexed in the Scopus database has fallen to the lowest level since 2017. In 2024, they published 100,000. articles, reviews and reports – by 9 thousand (8%) less than a year earlier and by 31 thousand (24%) less than in pre-war 2021.
Russia's share in the world's number of publications has almost halved in four years – from 7.81 percent. up to 4.01 percent in physical sciences, with 4.86 percent up to 2.01 percent in mathematics, with 4 percent up to 2.9 percent in other areas of exact sciences and from 3.42 percent. up to 1.49 percent in electronics, electrical engineering and IT – calculated experts from the University of Economics.
Clear regression in key areas
The number of inventions created in Russia after the start of the war decreased by 25%. and regressed to the lowest levels since the early 2000s. In 2024, 21,000 were granted in the Russian Federation. 608 patents – almost 2 thousand less than a year earlier and by 7 thousand less than in 2020, i.e. before the war.
In terms of the number of publications in mathematics and physics – fields in which Russian scientists have traditionally held leading positions – Russia fell to 7th and 8th place, respectively. The country's share in the global number of publications in these areas also almost halved: from 7.81 percent. up to 4.01 percent in physics and with 4.86 percent up to 2.01 percent in mathematics.
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The silent exodus of scientists
This is not about a sudden collapse after the outbreak of the war, but about a long-term trend – Russian science has been losing staff since 2015. Importantly, even before the invasion of Ukraine, Russian higher education was strongly oriented towards the global market – notes Olga Orlova, editor-in-chief of the magazine “T-invariant”.
One of the reasons for leaving are political differences and opposition to what is happening in Russia, as well as fears for their own freedom. A lot of cases, including criminal ones, have been initiated against scientists
– said last year biologist and science popularizer Aleksandr Panchin, who has been working abroad since 2022.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
