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

Germany: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) was 35.5% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
35.5%
Change on year
up 0.1%
World rank
59th
of 71 countries
All-time high
35.5%
in 2023
All-time low
20.4%
in 1996
Years of data
27
1996–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Germany, 1996–2023

0102030401996200920231996: 20.41997: 21.21998: 21.11999: 21.72000: 22.62001: 22.92002: 23.52003: 24.92004: 26.12005: 262006: 272007: 27.82008: 28.72009: 302010: 30.52011: 30.82012: 31.62013: 322014: 31.92015: 32.42016: 32.62017: 33.42018: 342019: 34.32020: 352021: 35.52023: 35.5

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2023, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Germany stood at 35.5%. That is the highest value across all 27 years on record.

The figure is up 0.1% on the previous year and up 11.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Germany peaked at 35.5% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 20.4%, in 1996.

Germany ranks 59th of 71 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 27 years of available data.

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

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Government in Germany, 1996 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1996 20.4%
1997 21.2% +3.7%
1998 21.1% -0.1%
1999 21.7% +2.7%
2000 22.6% +4.0%
2001 22.9% +1.3%
2002 23.5% +2.7%
2003 24.9% +6.2%
2004 26.1% +4.5%
2005 26.0% -0.2%
2006 27.0% +3.7%
2007 27.8% +3.0%
2008 28.7% +3.2%
2009 30.0% +4.5%
2010 30.5% +1.7%
2011 30.8% +1.1%
2012 31.6% +2.6%
2013 32.0% +1.2%
2014 31.9% -0.1%
2015 32.4% +1.3%
2016 32.6% +0.7%
2017 33.4% +2.4%
2018 34.0% +1.8%
2019 34.3% +1.0%
2020 35.0% +2.0%
2021 35.5% +1.3%
2023 35.5% +0.1%

Germany compared with similar countries

  • Germany's 35.5% is below the median for high income countries, which is 48.0%, 74% of the median. (35 countries reporting)
  • Germany's 35.5% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 50.4%, 70% of the median. (37 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 21.1% 20.4% 21.7% 4
2000s 25.9% 22.6% 30.0% 10
2010s 32.3% 30.5% 34.3% 10
2020s 35.3% 35.0% 35.5% 3

Countries ranked near Germany

  1. 56 Madagascar 37.5% compare
  2. 57 France 36.6% compare
  3. 58 Belgium 36.5% compare
  4. 60 Uzbekistan 33.2% compare
  5. 61 Türkiye 33.1% compare
  6. 62 Malta 32.6% compare

See the full ranking of 71 places →

More science & technology data for Germany

All data for Germany →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Germany?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Germany was 35.5% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Germany?
The highest recorded value was 35.5% in 2023.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Germany?
The lowest recorded value was 20.4% in 1996.
How does Germany rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte)?
Germany ranks 59th out of 71 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) rising or falling in Germany?
Over the last ten years it is up 11.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Germany data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Government. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Germany. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 13 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/female-researchers-as-a-percentage-of-total-researchers-fte-government/germany/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Government
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
71 places, 1,072 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release