The number of self-employed persons in medium-high R&D intensive activities globally shows varied trends across countries. In 2023, South Korea leads with the highest count at 613,000. The U.S and U.K. experienced slight growth and decline, respectively. Germany and Poland also showed contrasting trends, with Poland witnessing robust growth. France, Canada, and the Netherlands saw modest increases, whereas notable spikes occurred in Hungary, Belgium, and especially Estonia. The U.K., Germany, and the U.S. reflect the global variance in engagement intensity.
Future trends to watch include technological advancements and government policies impacting self-employment in R&D. Monitoring countries with rapidly rising numbers, such as Poland and Estonia, can provide insights into emerging innovation ecosystems. Global economic shifts and support for startup culture will likely play influential roles in shaping these numbers.
Top countries in Number of Self-Employed Persons in Medium-High (2-Digit Definition) R&D Intensive Activities by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Thousand Units (Persons) | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 South Korea | 613 | 2023 | +0.66% | +0.87% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Colombia | 250 | 2023 | -0.4% | -0.4% | View data |
| 3 | 3 United States | 205 | 2023 | 0% | +0.9% | View data |
| 4 | 4 United Kingdom | 168 | 2023 | +1.2% | -0.58% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Germany | 153 | 2023 | 0% | -0.26% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Poland | 119 | 2023 | +3.48% | +3.33% | View data |
| 7 | 7 France | 70 | 2023 | +2.94% | +2.46% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Canada | 48 | 2023 | 0% | +0.42% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Netherlands | 37 | 2023 | +2.78% | +1.71% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Spain | 36 | 2023 | +2.86% | +1.15% | View data |
