The global distribution of persons employed in scientific R&D shows the United States leading with a substantial margin, followed by France and South Korea. European countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy dominate the mid-range of employees. Year-on-year variations from 2023 indicate a moderate increase across many countries, with Ireland showing the highest growth at nearly 5%, while Poland and Estonia experienced declines.
The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the past five years suggests steady growth in scientific R&D employment in many regions, reflecting continuous investment and prioritization of scientific innovation.
Future trends to watch include the potential for emerging and transitioning economies to increase their share in global R&D employment, technological advances driving changes in workforce demands, and shifts in national policies that may affect R&D funding and employment distribution.
Top countries in Number of Persons Employed in Scientific R&D Share by Country (Thousand Units (Persons))
| # | 10 Countries | Percent | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 United States | 33.42 | 2023 | +1.16% | +1.82% | View data |
| 2 | 2 France | 18.34 | 2023 | +1.06% | +1.62% | View data |
| 3 | 3 South Korea | 11.12 | 2023 | +2.55% | +2.72% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Germany | 9.59 | 2023 | +2.04% | +2.04% | View data |
| 5 | 5 United Kingdom | 5.26 | 2023 | +1.55% | +3.1% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Italy | 4.98 | 2023 | +0.85% | +0.95% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Spain | 2.77 | 2023 | +1.98% | +2.09% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Sweden | 2.26 | 2023 | +1.72% | +1.41% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Netherlands | 1.61 | 2023 | +2.44% | +1.49% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Hungary | 1.45 | 2023 | +3.57% | +3.87% | View data |
