The density of R&D technicians in Canada is forecasted to decline gradually from 1.14 persons per billion in 2024 to 1.06 persons per billion by 2028. This indicates a consistent year-on-year decrease of approximately 1.75% annually. Compared to 2023, this decline raises concerns over maintaining innovation-driven growth.
Future trends to watch for include:
- The impact of policy changes and investment in STEM education, which could potentially reverse this trend.
- Potential labor market shifts due to emerging technologies requiring more or less R&D personnel.
- Global competition for technological talent influencing workforce dynamics in Canada’s R&D sector.