In 2023, the number of persons employed in high- and medium-high R&D intensive activities in Italy stood at 1.84 million. Forecasts from 2024 to 2028 show a slight annual increase in employment, from 1.85 million in 2024 to 1.87 million in 2028. The year-on-year growth is under 1%, indicating a modest expansion. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over this five-year period is approximately 0.3%, reflecting steady but slow growth in this sector.

Future trends to watch for:

Impact of digital transformation on R&D employment needs.
Government policies and incentives for research-intensive industries.
Integration of emerging technologies like AI and IoT influencing skill requirements.
Global economic factors affecting Italy's R&D investment capacity.