R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in South Korea
South Korea: R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size was 459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
Change on year
up 0.4%
World rank
5th
of 52 countries
All-time high
459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
in 2023
All-time low
77,862 Full-time equivalent (FTE)
in 1998
Years of data
29
1995–2023
R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in South Korea, 1995–2023
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Full-time equivalent (FTE).
Analysis
In 2023, r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in South Korea stood at 459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE). That is the highest value across all 29 years on record.
The figure is up 0.4% on the previous year and up 59.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in South Korea peaked at 459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2023 and was at its lowest, 77,862 Full-time equivalent (FTE), in 1998.
South Korea ranks 5th of 52 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
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 South Korea, year by year
| Year | Full-time equivalent (FTE) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 96,890 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | — |
| 1996 | 89,002 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -8.1% |
| 1997 | 90,425 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +1.6% |
| 1998 | 77,862 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | -13.9% |
| 1999 | 84,070 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +8.0% |
| 2000 | 87,113 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +3.6% |
| 2001 | 117,018 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +34.3% |
| 2002 | 120,717 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +3.2% |
| 2003 | 128,441 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +6.4% |
| 2004 | 132,523 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +3.2% |
| 2005 | 153,400 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +15.8% |
| 2006 | 171,643 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +11.9% |
| 2007 | 184,607 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +7.6% |
| 2008 | 208,428 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +12.9% |
| 2009 | 212,349 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +1.9% |
| 2010 | 230,221 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +8.4% |
| 2011 | 254,280 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +10.5% |
| 2012 | 281,522 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +10.7% |
| 2013 | 288,758 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +2.6% |
| 2014 | 314,019 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +8.7% |
| 2015 | 323,652 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 328,948 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 355,601 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +8.1% |
| 2018 | 383,322 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +7.8% |
| 2019 | 405,212 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +5.7% |
| 2020 | 416,895 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 445,823 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +6.9% |
| 2022 | 457,356 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +2.6% |
| 2023 | 459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | +0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 87,650 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 77,862 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 96,890 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 5 |
| 2000s | 151,624 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 87,113 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 212,349 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 10 |
| 2010s | 316,554 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 230,221 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 405,212 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 10 |
| 2020s | 444,870 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 416,895 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE) | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More economy & growth data for South Korea
- G20 CPI all-items - Group of Twenty - Consumer price index 126.3 Index, 2015=100 (2026)
- GBARD by socioeconomic objectives 17,986 Million euro (2024)
- GERD by sector of performance and socioeconomic objectives 84,278 Million euro (2023)
- Business enterprise R&D expenditure in high-tech sectors by NACE Rev. 66,741 Million euro (2023)
- R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by NACE 459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE) (2023)
- Business enterprise R&D personnel in high-tech sectors by NACE Rev. 2 459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE) (2023)
- Business expenditure on R&D (BERD) in ICT sector as % of total R&D 14.7% (2021)
- R&D personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by NACE 208,428 Full-time equivalent (FTE) (2008)
- Business enterprise R&D expenditure in high-tech sectors by NACE Rev. 16,188 Million euro (2008)
- Business enterprise R&D personnel in high-tech sectors by NACE Rev. 208,428 Full-time equivalent (FTE) (2008)
Frequently asked questions
- What is r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in South Korea?
- R&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size in South Korea was 459,405 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 South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 459,405 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 2023.
- What is the lowest r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 77,862 Full-time equivalent (FTE) in 1998.
- How does South Korea rank for r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size?
- South Korea ranks 5th out of 52 countries with data for 2023.
- Is r&d personnel and researchers in business enterprise sector by size rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is up 59.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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.
Download this data
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