The forecast for total internal R&D personnel in Canada within professional, scientific, technical, administrative, and support service activities suggests a steady increase. From 2024 to 2028, the number is expected to rise from 30.87 to 32.24 thousand FTEs. Comparing year-on-year growth, approximately a 1% increase is anticipated annually. This gradual rise indicates sustained investment in R&D personnel and reflects a stable trend following the pre-2024 levels. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over these five years remains modest, indicative of consistent but controlled expansion in R&D staffing.

Future trends to watch for:

Increased demand for new technologies could spur greater growth in R&D personnel.
Potential policy changes or government incentives might accelerate R&D staffing.
Global economic conditions could influence these forecasts, with unexpected shifts yielding either opportunities or constraints.