R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Iceland
Iceland: R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size was 2,901 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
2,901 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
Change on year
down 8.3%
World rank
44th
of 52 countries
All-time high
3,162 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
in 2022
All-time low
71.6 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
in 1981
Years of data
31
1981–2023
R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Iceland, 1981–2023
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Full-time equivalent (FTE).
Analysis
Iceland recorded 2,901 Full-time equivalent (FTE) for r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in 2023.
The figure is down 8.3% on the previous year and up 130.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Iceland peaked at 3,162 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2022 and was at its lowest, 71.6 Full-time equivalent (FTE), in 1981.
Iceland ranks 44th of 52 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
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 Iceland, year by year
| Year | Full-time equivalent (FTE) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 71.6 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | — |
| 1983 | 97 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +35.5% |
| 1985 | 99.8 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +2.9% |
| 1987 | 151 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +51.3% |
| 1989 | 234.7 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +55.4% |
| 1990 | 231.5 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -1.4% |
| 1991 | 277.8 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +20.0% |
| 1992 | 291.1 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +4.8% |
| 1993 | 398.4 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +36.9% |
| 1994 | 418.3 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +5.0% |
| 1995 | 551.3 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +31.8% |
| 1996 | 461 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -16.4% |
| 1997 | 831.7 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +80.4% |
| 1998 | 914.9 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +10.0% |
| 1999 | 960.8 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +5.0% |
| 2000 | 1,147 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +19.4% |
| 2001 | 1,333 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +16.2% |
| 2002 | 1,183 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -11.3% |
| 2003 | 1,352 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +14.3% |
| 2005 | 1,530 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +13.2% |
| 2006 | 1,620 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +5.9% |
| 2007 | 1,417 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -12.6% |
| 2008 | 1,481 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +4.5% |
| 2009 | 1,352 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -8.7% |
| 2011 | 1,491 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +10.3% |
| 2013 | 1,260 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -15.5% |
| 2017 | 1,860 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +47.7% |
| 2018 | 1,860 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 3,009 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +61.8% |
| 2022 | 3,162 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +5.1% |
| 2023 | 2,901 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -8.3% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 2,901 Full-time equivalent (FTE) is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 28,747 Full-time equivalent (FTE), 10% of the median. (35 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 2,901 Full-time equivalent (FTE) is below the median for high income countries, which is 43,607 Full-time equivalent (FTE), 7% of the median. (35 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 130.82 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 71.6 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 234.7 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 5 |
| 1990s | 533.68 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 231.5 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 960.8 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,380 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 1,147 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 1,620 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 9 |
| 2010s | 1,618 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 1,260 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 1,860 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 4 |
| 2020s | 3,024 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 2,901 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 3,162 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 3 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
More economy & growth data for Iceland
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.96 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 2.48 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -851.71 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0221 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -2,170 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled -201.70 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -107.12 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0.0052 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -514.02 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 20.76 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Iceland?
- R&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in Iceland was 2,901 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2023, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size recorded in Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 3,162 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2022.
- What is the lowest r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 71.6 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 1981.
- How does Iceland rank for r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size?
- Iceland ranks 44th out of 52 countries with data for 2023.
- Is r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 130.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland 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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