Perturbative QCD below charm threshold: theory and tensions with $e^+e^-$ data

In this paper we carefully assess the theory prediction for $R(s)$ below charm threshold, $R_{uds}$, and address tensions with the existing data, notably with the 2021 BES-III results. We analyze the uncertainty of the perturbative QCD description in the light of renormalons making use of the large-$\beta_0$ limit and the renormalon-free gluon-condensate scheme. We provide a reliable estimate of the duality violation contributions; we show they are sizable up to $2.5$~GeV and improve the agreement between theory and data, but are negligible for higher energies. We then combine the available experimental data for $R_{uds}$ and find the data sets to be mutually compatible. Finally, we compare theory and data, both locally and in their contributions to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. Theory is compatible with the combined data but discrepancies with the BES-III data reach more than 3$\sigma$.