Rationale and definition:

The fields of science, technology and innovation are key drivers of economic growth and development. Progress in these fields requires trained staff engaged in research and development (R&D). This indicator measures the total number of personnel (researchers, technicians and other support staff) working in research and development, expressed in full-time equivalent, per million inhabitants. This indicator goes beyond technology development, diffusion, and adoption, but is important for achieving many of the SDGs.¹

Disaggregation:

Data can be broken down by sector, sex, qualification, and field of science.²

Comments and limitations:

Data is available for some 140 countries, but not always fully comparable across countries.

Preliminary assessment of current data availability by Friends of the Chair:

A

Primary data source:

R&D surveys.

Potential lead agency or agencies:

UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), and the OECD.