Researchers per Million People by Country, Historical Data 2000-2022

About This Dataset

Researchers engaged in research and development per million people, at five benchmark years from 2000 to 2022. Researchers are professionals working on the conception or creation of new knowledge, products and methods, counted in full-time equivalent terms. Twelve research-intensive economies are shown.

✨ AI Insight

South Korea transformed its position, rising 306% from 2,324 researchers per million in 2000 to 9,435 in 2022, the highest here by a wide margin. Japan led the group in 2000 at 5,102 but grew only 10% across the whole period and was overtaken by South Korea between 2005 and 2010. Portugal grew 248% and Netherlands 140%. Russia is the only country in this set to fall, down 23% from 3,446 to 2,658. China rose 236% to 1,849, a large relative gain that still leaves it the lowest of the twelve, well under half the United States figure of 4,938 and under a fifth of South Korea's.

Source: World Bank / UNESCO Institute for Statistics

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

🏆

South Korea leads with 9,435 in 2022.

📈

South Korea grew fastest: +306% from 2000 to 2022 (2,324.10 → 9,434.80).

📉

Russia declined most: -22.9% from 2000 to 2022 (3,446.20 → 2,657.90).

📊

Average value in 2022: 5,644 · median: 5,658.

📅

2022 recorded the highest combined total across all categories.

↔️

Gap in 2022: South Korea is 5.1× larger than China.