The total number of researchers in scientific research and development in Turkey exhibited significant fluctuations over the past decade. In the early years (2013-2015), there was steady growth, peaking in 2015. However, 2016 saw a sharp decline, and despite mild recovery in 2017, the following years revealed a downward trend, reaching 2.77 thousand in 2023. Year-on-year variations indicate significant volatility, with a -0.24% change from 2022 to 2023. The 5-year CAGR leading to 2023 was -3.91%, emphasizing a decreasing trend in researcher numbers.
Looking forward, the forecasted data through 2028 predicts a continued but slight decline in the number of researchers, with a projected 5-year CAGR of -0.18%. This suggests a generally stable but slightly diminishing trend in the workforce.
Future trends to watch for include potential impacts of national policies on research funding, economic developments influencing higher education and R&D investments, and global partnerships or initiatives that may reverse or mitigate the declining trend in researcher numbers.
