Global Number of Employees in High- and Medium-High (2-Digit Definition) R&D Intensive Activities Share by Country (Thousand Units (Persons))

The United States leads globally in the number of employees in high- and medium-high R&D intensive activities, with 45.35 thousand persons in 2024, reflecting steady growth with a 0.93% increase from the previous year. South Korea follows with 10.97 thousand persons, experiencing a 1.19% rise. The United Kingdom and France are tied, each with 8.35 thousand, reporting a 0.54% and 0.66% increase, respectively. Poland shows significant growth at 1.59%, highlighting an expanding R&D workforce. Nordic countries like Sweden and Denmark have smaller yet consistent numbers, standing at 2.14 and 0.97 thousand, respectively.

Future trends to watch include increasing investments in R&D across emerging European markets such as Poland and the Czech Republic, reflecting rising employment figures. The United States and South Korea will likely maintain their leadership positions, driven by technological advancement and sustained government or private sector investment. Monitoring workforce developments in smaller economies like Estonia and Greece, where growth rates are significant, could provide insights into niche market expansions or strategic policy shifts.