In 2023, the total R&D personnel in the UK’s higher education sector stood at approximately 196,000 full-time equivalents. The forecast from 2024 to 2028 shows a steady growth, reaching over 203,000 by 2028. The year-on-year growth rates are expected to gradually decrease from 0.71% in 2025 to 0.66% in 2028. Over the five-year period from 2024 to 2028, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is anticipated to be around 0.68%.
Looking forward, key trends include:
- Increased investment in science and technology education.
- Potential impacts of government policy on research funding.
- Innovation-driven demand for skilled research personnel.
