In 2023, the actual number of higher education researchers in the UK stood at approximately 368.5 thousand. The forecast from 2024 to 2028 shows a steady increase in this number. Between 2024 and 2025, the year-on-year growth is around 0.95%, while from 2025 to 2026, it is about 0.91%. From 2026 to 2027, the increase is approximately 0.90%, and from 2027 to 2028, it is around 0.87%. Over the five-year forecast period from 2024 to 2028, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is estimated to be around 1.01%.

Future trends to watch for:

Government funding policies for higher education research.
Impact of Brexit on research collaboration and funding from the EU.
Technological advancements in research methodologies.
Global positioning of UK universities and their ability to attract international researchers.