In 2023, the total R&D personnel in higher education in Germany stood at an estimated 165.5 thousand Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs). Based on the forecasted data, the number is expected to rise steadily each year, reaching approximately 186.65 thousand FTEs by 2028.
The year-on-year variation demonstrates a consistent growth pattern, with increases of around 2.53% to 2.73% annually from 2024 to 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over these five years is approximately 2.46%, highlighting a strong upward trend in R&D personnel numbers.
Future trends to watch for include the impact of technological advancements and policy changes on the growth rate. Additionally, monitoring shifts in research funding and interdisciplinary research demands will be valuable in assessing this growth trajectory.