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

Belgium: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) was 45.9% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
45.9%
Change on year
up 1.0%
World rank
40th
of 74 countries
All-time high
45.9%
in 2023
All-time low
36.0%
in 2000
Years of data
24
2000–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Belgium, 2000–2023

010203040502000201120232000: 362001: 37.22002: 38.22003: 392004: 39.32005: 40.22006: 41.12007: 41.62008: 42.62009: 42.22010: 42.62011: 432012: 432013: 43.22014: 43.42015: 43.62016: 43.62017: 43.92018: 44.12019: 43.92020: 44.22021: 44.52022: 45.42023: 45.9

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2023, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Belgium stood at 45.9%. That is the highest value across all 24 years on record.

The figure is up 1.0% on the previous year and up 6.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Belgium peaked at 45.9% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 36.0%, in 2000.

That places Belgium 40th out of 74 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.

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

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Higher education in Belgium, 2000 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2000 36.0%
2001 37.2% +3.6%
2002 38.2% +2.4%
2003 39.0% +2.1%
2004 39.3% +1.0%
2005 40.2% +2.2%
2006 41.1% +2.3%
2007 41.6% +1.2%
2008 42.6% +2.4%
2009 42.2% -1.0%
2010 42.6% +1.0%
2011 43.0% +1.1%
2012 43.0% -0.1%
2013 43.2% +0.5%
2014 43.4% +0.4%
2015 43.6% +0.4%
2016 43.6% -0.1%
2017 43.9% +0.8%
2018 44.1% +0.5%
2019 43.9% -0.4%
2020 44.2% +0.8%
2021 44.5% +0.5%
2022 45.4% +2.1%
2023 45.9% +1.0%

Belgium compared with similar countries

  • Belgium's 45.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 44.3%, 1.0× the median. (38 countries reporting)
  • Belgium's 45.9% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 46.5%, 99% of the median. (37 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 39.7% 36.0% 42.6% 10
2010s 43.4% 42.6% 44.1% 10
2020s 45.0% 44.2% 45.9% 4

Countries ranked near Belgium

  1. 37 Slovenia 46.5% compare
  2. 38 Sweden 46.5% compare
  3. 39 Türkiye 46.5% compare
  4. 41 Italy 44.9% compare
  5. 42 Indonesia 43.9% compare
  6. 43 Greece 43.8% compare

See the full ranking of 74 places →

More science & technology data for Belgium

All data for Belgium →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Belgium?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Belgium was 45.9% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Belgium?
The highest recorded value was 45.9% in 2023.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Belgium?
The lowest recorded value was 36.0% in 2000.
How does Belgium rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte)?
Belgium ranks 40th out of 74 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) rising or falling in Belgium?
Over the last ten years it is up 6.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Belgium data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Higher education. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Belgium. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 14 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/female-researchers-as-a-percentage-of-total-researchers-fte-higher-education/belgium/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Higher education
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
74 places, 1,075 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release