The forecast for R&D personnel in Italy indicates a steady decline from 2024 to 2028, with a noticeable decrease from 305,610 in 2024 to 270,250 in 2028, expressed in thousands of full-time equivalents. This downward trend presents year-on-year percentage decreases: approximately -2.92% in 2025, -3.01% in 2026, -3.05% in 2027, and -3.12% in 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2028 is approximately -3.02%, highlighting a consistent annual reduction. In 2023, the total R&D personnel stood at a significantly higher level, reflecting a concerning decrease in investment or focus on research and development personnel over the forecast period.
Future trends to watch include potential shifts in government policy toward promoting R&D, the impact of digital transformation across industries, and changes in the European Union funding for innovation projects. Monitoring these factors is crucial as they could alter the trajectory of R&D personnel in Italy, either mitigating the decline or accelerating it further.
