As of 2023, there were approximately 15.0 thousand self-employed persons engaged in high R&D intensive activities in Germany. The forecast for the period 2024 to 2028 indicates a stable presence until 2025, followed by a slight decline to 14.0 thousand from 2026 onwards. This equates to a -6.67% year-on-year decrease starting in 2026. Over the five-year outlook, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) will likely show a negative trend, reflecting a gradual reduction of self-employed individuals in these sectors.
Future trends to watch for include:
- The impact of economic cycles and policy changes on self-employment in R&D.
- Technological advancements that can either increase automation or create new self-employment opportunities.
- Government incentives that might address the decline by encouraging more self-employment in high R&D intensive areas.
