In 2023, the United States led globally in the number of employees in high- and medium-high R&D intensive activities, with 9.67 million employees. Germany followed with 5.06 million, and South Korea at 2.25 million. Among other European countries, France and Italy had significant numbers at 1.76 million and 1.69 million, respectively. Emerging European markets like the Czech Republic and Slovakia are also notable, albeit smaller, contributors. Year-on-year growth in 2023 showed positive increases across most regions, except for Sweden and Greece, which saw declines.
For future trends, watch for rapid growth in countries like South Korea and emerging European economies, such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as they continue to invest in R&D. Innovations and governmental policies fostering R&D activities will likely contribute to further employee growth in these sectors globally, but particularly in Asian and Eastern European regions.
Top countries in Number of Employees in High- and Medium-High (3-Digit Definition) R&D Intensive Activities by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Thousand Units (Persons) | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 United States | 9,670 | 2023 | +1.01% | +1.28% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Germany | 5,060 | 2023 | +1% | +1.13% | View data |
| 3 | 3 South Korea | 2,250 | 2023 | +1.28% | +1.35% | View data |
| 4 | 4 France | 1,760 | 2023 | +0.46% | +0.65% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Italy | 1,690 | 2023 | +0.45% | +0.57% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Czech Republic | 773.5 | 2023 | +1.25% | +1.19% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Sweden | 442 | 2023 | +0.23% | -0.045% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Slovakia | 261.31 | 2023 | +1.27% | +1.06% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Slovenia | 100.67 | 2023 | +1.01% | +0.65% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Greece | 77.32 | 2023 | -0.74% | -1.09% | View data |
