In 2023, the total internal R&D personnel in architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis in the UK stood at 16.53 thousand full-time equivalents. Forecasts for 2024 to 2028 indicate a consistent, albeit slight, annual increase from 16.56 to 16.68 thousand. Year-on-year growth rates are very modest, with an annual increment of approximately 0.18% over the last two years. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the 2024-2028 period is equally modest.

Future trends to watch for:

Technological advancements, particularly in AI and sustainable engineering, could significantly impact the demand for R&D personnel.
Brexit-related changes may alter regulatory landscape, affecting investment in R&D.
Global economic factors and government policies could either constrain or boost R&D personnel growth.