R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Bulgaria
Bulgaria: R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size was 14,343 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
14,343 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
Change on year
up 8.4%
World rank
32nd
of 52 countries
All-time high
14,762 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
in 2022
All-time low
1,671 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
in 2002
Years of data
32
1993–2024
R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Bulgaria, 1993–2024
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Full-time equivalent (FTE).
Analysis
In 2024, r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Bulgaria stood at 14,343 Full-time equivalent (FTE).
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.4% on the previous year and up 164.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Bulgaria peaked at 14,762 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2022 and was at its lowest, 1,671 Full-time equivalent (FTE), in 2002.
Bulgaria ranks 32nd of 52 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Bulgaria, year by year
| Year | Full-time equivalent (FTE) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 9,684 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | — |
| 1994 | 4,278 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -55.8% |
| 1995 | 4,009 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -6.3% |
| 1996 | 3,700 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -7.7% |
| 1997 | 3,322 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -10.2% |
| 1998 | 3,402 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +2.4% |
| 1999 | 2,443 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -28.2% |
| 2000 | 2,137 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -12.5% |
| 2001 | 1,882 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -11.9% |
| 2002 | 1,671 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -11.2% |
| 2003 | 2,091 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +25.1% |
| 2004 | 2,158 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +3.2% |
| 2005 | 2,062 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -4.4% |
| 2006 | 2,463 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +19.4% |
| 2007 | 2,422 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -1.7% |
| 2008 | 2,851 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +17.7% |
| 2009 | 3,335 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +17.0% |
| 2010 | 2,778 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -16.7% |
| 2011 | 2,439 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -12.2% |
| 2012 | 3,007 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +23.3% |
| 2013 | 3,853 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +28.1% |
| 2014 | 5,431 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +41.0% |
| 2015 | 9,480 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +74.6% |
| 2016 | 11,253 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +18.7% |
| 2017 | 10,735 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -4.6% |
| 2018 | 13,110 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +22.1% |
| 2019 | 13,826 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +5.5% |
| 2020 | 13,663 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 13,056 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -4.4% |
| 2022 | 14,762 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +13.1% |
| 2023 | 13,227 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -10.4% |
| 2024 | 14,343 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +8.4% |
Bulgaria compared with similar countries
- Bulgaria's 14,343 Full-time equivalent (FTE) is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 28,747 Full-time equivalent (FTE), 50% of the median. (35 countries reporting)
- Bulgaria's 14,343 Full-time equivalent (FTE) is below the median for high income countries, which is 43,607 Full-time equivalent (FTE), 33% of the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 4,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 2,443 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 9,684 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 7 |
| 2000s | 2,307 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 1,671 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 3,335 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 10 |
| 2010s | 7,591 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 2,439 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 13,826 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 10 |
| 2020s | 13,810 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 13,056 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 14,762 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 5 |
Countries ranked near Bulgaria
- 29 Ireland 27,502 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
- 30 Greece 23,250 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
- 31 Romania 15,552 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
- 33 Slovenia 11,383 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
- 33 Slovenia 11,383 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
- 35 Slovakia 11,098 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
- 35 Slovakia 11,098 Full-time equivalent (FTE) compare
More economy & growth data for Bulgaria
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.48 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.58 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 1.51 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0116 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 234.99 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 4.88 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 60.06 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0373 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 759.02 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 7.89 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Bulgaria?
- R&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Bulgaria was 14,343 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2024, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size recorded in Bulgaria?
- The highest recorded value was 14,762 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2022.
- What is the lowest r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size recorded in Bulgaria?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,671 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2002.
- How does Bulgaria rank for r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size?
- Bulgaria ranks 32nd out of 52 countries with data for 2024.
- Is r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size rising or falling in Bulgaria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 164.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Bulgaria data come from?
- The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size class and sex. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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