Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Italy

Italy: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) was 25.4% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
25.4%
Change on year
up 3.7%
World rank
42nd
of 59 countries
All-time high
25.4%
in 2023
All-time low
19.4%
in 2004
Years of data
21
2003–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Italy, 2003–2023

01020302003201320232003: 19.42004: 19.42005: 20.42006: 19.82007: 21.12008: 20.72009: 212010: 20.42011: 20.62012: 21.52013: 21.92014: 22.22015: 22.52016: 22.22017: 21.62018: 22.12019: 22.72020: 23.32021: 24.42022: 24.52023: 25.4

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

Italy recorded 25.4% for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in 2023. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.

The figure is up 3.7% on the previous year and up 15.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Italy peaked at 25.4% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 19.4%, in 2004.

That places Italy 42nd out of 59 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 21 years of available data.

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Italy, year by year

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Business enterprise in Italy, 2003 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2003 19.4%
2004 19.4% -0.1%
2005 20.4% +5.2%
2006 19.8% -3.1%
2007 21.1% +6.7%
2008 20.7% -2.1%
2009 21.0% +1.4%
2010 20.4% -2.8%
2011 20.6% +1.1%
2012 21.5% +4.2%
2013 21.9% +2.1%
2014 22.2% +1.5%
2015 22.5% +1.4%
2016 22.2% -1.7%
2017 21.6% -2.3%
2018 22.1% +1.9%
2019 22.7% +2.8%
2020 23.3% +2.8%
2021 24.4% +4.8%
2022 24.5% +0.1%
2023 25.4% +3.7%

Italy compared with similar countries

  • Italy's 25.4% is below the median for high income countries, which is 26.3%, 97% of the median. (33 countries reporting)
  • Italy's 25.4% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 28.6%, 89% of the median. (35 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 20.3% 19.4% 21.1% 7
2010s 21.8% 20.4% 22.7% 10
2020s 24.4% 23.3% 25.4% 4

Countries ranked near Italy

  1. 39 Sweden 26.3% compare
  2. 40 Estonia 25.8% compare
  3. 41 Malta 25.5% compare
  4. 43 Macau, China 25.3% compare
  5. 44 Ireland 25.3% compare
  6. 45 Slovenia 24.2% compare

See the full ranking of 59 places →

More science & technology data for Italy

All data for Italy →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Italy?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Italy was 25.4% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Italy?
The highest recorded value was 25.4% in 2023.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Italy?
The lowest recorded value was 19.4% in 2004.
How does Italy rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte)?
Italy ranks 42nd out of 59 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) rising or falling in Italy?
Over the last ten years it is up 15.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Italy data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Business enterprise. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Italy. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 16 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/female-researchers-as-a-percentage-of-total-researchers-fte-business-enterprise/italy/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Business enterprise
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
59 places, 881 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release