The number of employees in the Scientific Research and Development sector in Germany, measured in million hours, has shown consistent growth over the past decade. By the end of 2023, employment stood at 349 million hours, reflecting a modest year-on-year increase of 2.05%. The five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) leading to 2023 was 2.46%. Looking forward from 2024, a slowdown is expected with a forecasted CAGR of 1.37% through 2028, predicting a 7.04% overall increase in employment hours during that period.

Future trends to watch for:

Technological advancements may influence productivity, impacting employment hours needed.
Shifts in funding and policy priorities can significantly affect the sector's growth dynamics.
The integration of AI and automation may alter workforce requirements, impacting growth projections.