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

Italy: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) was 49.5% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
49.5%
Change on year
up 1.0%
World rank
33rd
of 71 countries
All-time high
49.5%
in 2023
All-time low
34.5%
in 1998
Years of data
22
1998–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Italy, 1998–2023

010203040501998201020231998: 34.52003: 38.12004: 39.62005: 392006: 40.52007: 43.22008: 432009: 43.32010: 442011: 45.72012: 45.72013: 46.52014: 46.72015: 47.72016: 47.42017: 472018: 47.42019: 482020: 48.22021: 48.52022: 492023: 49.5

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2023, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Italy stood at 49.5%. That is the highest value across all 22 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.0% on the previous year and up 6.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Italy peaked at 49.5% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 34.5%, in 1998.

That places Italy 33rd out of 71 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 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) - Government in Italy, 1998 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1998 34.5%
2003 38.1% +10.3%
2004 39.6% +3.9%
2005 39.0% -1.4%
2006 40.5% +3.9%
2007 43.2% +6.5%
2008 43.0% -0.3%
2009 43.3% +0.5%
2010 44.0% +1.7%
2011 45.7% +3.8%
2012 45.7% +0.1%
2013 46.5% +1.8%
2014 46.7% +0.3%
2015 47.7% +2.1%
2016 47.4% -0.6%
2017 47.0% -0.9%
2018 47.4% +0.8%
2019 48.0% +1.3%
2020 48.2% +0.6%
2021 48.5% +0.5%
2022 49.0% +1.0%
2023 49.5% +1.0%

Italy compared with similar countries

  • Italy's 49.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 48.0%, 1.0× the median. (35 countries reporting)
  • Italy's 49.5% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 50.4%, 98% of the median. (37 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 34.5% 34.5% 34.5% 1
2000s 40.9% 38.1% 43.3% 7
2010s 46.6% 44.0% 48.0% 10
2020s 48.8% 48.2% 49.5% 4

Countries ranked near Italy

  1. 30 Slovenia 50.4% compare
  2. 31 Mauritius 50.2% compare
  3. 32 Malaysia 50.0% compare
  4. 34 Romania 49.1% compare
  5. 35 Colombia 48.8% compare
  6. 36 Oman 48.3% compare

See the full ranking of 71 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 49.5% 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 49.5% in 2023.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Italy?
The lowest recorded value was 34.5% in 1998.
How does Italy rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte)?
Italy ranks 33rd out of 71 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 6.3%. 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) - Government. 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 15 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/female-researchers-as-a-percentage-of-total-researchers-fte-government/italy/

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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