The total R&D personnel in higher education within China is projected to experience consistent growth from 2024 to 2028, starting at 849.21 thousand Full-Time Equivalents (FTE) in 2024 and reaching 1077.1 thousand FTE by 2028. From 2024 to 2025, the year-on-year variation is approximately 6.8%, increasing by a similar rate each subsequent year. This reflects an average Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of roughly 6% over the five-year period. As of 2023, the estimated R&D personnel stood at 799.2 thousand FTE, marking a significant upward trend in subsequent years.
Future trends to watch for include potential policy changes that may impact R&D funding, the influence of technological advancements on research requirements, and international collaborations that could further boost personnel growth. Additionally, the emphasis on innovation-driven development strategies in China could lead to even higher growth rates in the years beyond 2028.
