The global number of self-employed persons in high- and medium-high R&D intensive activities varied significantly across countries in 2023. South Korea led with 816,000 persons, reflecting strong engagement in R&D-driven entrepreneurship. The United States followed with 340,000, showing steady growth with a 1.41% year-on-year increase. Other countries, such as the Czech Republic and Sweden, maintained stable numbers, while Slovenia experienced a notable 3.13% growth surge.
Looking ahead, the emphasis on technology and innovation is expected to drive further increases in self-employment within R&D, especially in technology-forward countries. Automation and AI developments may spur entrepreneurial opportunities, potentially elevating the numbers in traditionally lower-ranking countries as well.
Top countries in Number of Self-Employed Persons in High- and Medium-High (3-Digit Definition) R&D Intensive Activities by Country
| # | 6 Countries | Thousand Units (Persons) | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 South Korea | 816 | 2023 | +0.74% | +0.7% | View data |
| 2 | 2 United States | 340 | 2023 | +0.59% | +1.41% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Czech Republic | 31 | 2023 | 0% | 0% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Greece | 20 | 2023 | 0% | 0% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Slovenia | 7 | 2023 | 0% | +3.13% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Sweden | 6 | 2023 | 0% | 0% | View data |
