In 2023, China leads the global machinery and equipment manufacturing sector in Total Internal R&D Personnel with 546.86 thousand FTEs, reflecting a substantial growth of 5.8% year-on-year. Japan and Germany follow as key players, showing more modest increases of 0.84% and 2.21% respectively. South Korea, Italy, and Canada demonstrate steady growth, while the United Kingdom sees a significant decline of -8.23%. Smaller European economies like Latvia and Lithuania also experience reductions in personnel. Over the last five years, some smaller markets such as Slovakia and Slovenia exhibit robust compound annual growth rates, indicating expanding R&D activities.
Looking forward, key trends include the potential acceleration of R&D investments in emerging economies, driven by technological advancements and the increasing importance of green technologies. Continuous growth in Asian markets, especially China, may further shift the global distribution of R&D personnel. However, the demand for skilled labor and geopolitical tensions could impact future growth trajectories, making workforce development and international collaboration critical areas to watch.
Top countries in Total Internal R&D Personnel in Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Units (Full-Time Equivalent) | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 China | 546,860 | 2023 | +3.67% | +5.8% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Japan | 68,270 | 2023 | +3.14% | +0.84% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Germany | 56,000 | 2023 | +1.69% | +2.21% | View data |
| 4 | 4 South Korea | 36,730 | 2023 | +3.39% | +3.2% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Italy | 32,620 | 2023 | +3.36% | +3.39% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Canada | 10,030 | 2023 | +1.68% | +4.39% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Taiwan | 9,980 | 2023 | +3.07% | +2.57% | View data |
| 8 | 8 United Kingdom | 7,380 | 2023 | -6.68% | -8.23% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Spain | 4,200 | 2023 | +1.27% | -0.13% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Czech Republic | 3,610 | 2023 | +2.2% | +1.8% | View data |
