In 2024, South Korea leads with 862.8 thousand persons employed in high R&D activities, followed by Germany and France. Over the past year, notable growth is seen in Germany and Greece with year-on-year increases above 1.5%. Meanwhile, countries like Colombia and Finland faced declines in R&D employment. Looking at trends over the last two years, Austria and Denmark showed growth near 1%, while Finland experienced a significant decrease, suggesting economic or policy shifts might be at play. The previous five-year period shows varied average growth rates across countries, highlighting differing investment strategies and prioritization of R&D workforce enhancement.
Future trends to watch include the potential impact of automation and AI on R&D employment numbers, as these technologies could reshape job landscapes. Additionally, governmental policies on R&D funding and talent attraction will play crucial roles in shaping future R&D employment dynamics globally.
Top countries in Number of Persons Employed in High (2-Digit Definition) R&D Intensive Activities by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Thousand Units (Persons) | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 South Korea | 862.8 | 2023 | +0.76% | +0.82% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Germany | 791 | 2023 | +1.15% | +1.51% | View data |
| 3 | 3 France | 606 | 2023 | +0.5% | +1.06% | View data |
| 4 | 4 United Kingdom | 293.96 | 2023 | +0.08% | +0.81% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Italy | 293.8 | 2023 | +0.034% | +0.14% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Switzerland | 179.94 | 2023 | +0.53% | +0.44% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Poland | 166.3 | 2023 | +0.48% | +0.51% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Hungary | 136.42 | 2023 | +0.7% | +0.21% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Spain | 134 | 2023 | +0.22% | +0.21% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Colombia | 126.01 | 2023 | -0.5% | -0.46% | View data |
