In 2023, Canada saw the total internal R&D personnel in manufacturing at a certain level, but starting in 2024, there is a projected decline across the subsequent years. By 2028, the number is predicted to fall to 40.34 thousand FTE, reflecting a continuous downward trend. This pattern includes a year-on-year decrease of approximately 2.20% between 2024 and 2025, 2.18% between 2025 and 2026, and similar trends following through 2028. Over the five-year period, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) suggests a decreasing industry presence.

Future trends to watch for:

Innovation investments could reverse declining trends if manufacturing industries pivot toward technologically advanced sectors.
Policies introduced to stimulate R&D activities might affect personnel needs, potentially altering current downward trends.
International competitions and collaborations could also influence the internal R&D workforce dynamics, emphasizing the need for strategic adaptation.