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

Germany: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) was 39.3% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
39.3%
Change on year
up 2.5%
World rank
58th
of 74 countries
All-time high
39.3%
in 2023
All-time low
18.9%
in 1996
Years of data
27
1996–2023

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

0102030401996200920231996: 18.91997: 19.41998: 19.81999: 20.62000: 21.22001: 22.42002: 232003: 23.72004: 242005: 282006: 29.72007: 30.82008: 31.92009: 32.52010: 332011: 33.72012: 34.12013: 35.42014: 35.42015: 36.22016: 35.82017: 36.12018: 36.62019: 36.72020: 37.32021: 38.32023: 39.3

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

The most recent figure for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Germany is 39.3%, measured in 2023. That is the highest value across all 27 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.5% on the previous year and up 11.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Germany peaked at 39.3% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 18.9%, in 1996.

That places Germany 58th out of 74 countries with data for 2023, putting it 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) - Higher education in Germany, 1996 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1996 18.9%
1997 19.4% +2.3%
1998 19.8% +2.3%
1999 20.6% +3.8%
2000 21.2% +3.1%
2001 22.4% +5.6%
2002 23.0% +2.5%
2003 23.7% +3.2%
2004 24.0% +1.5%
2005 28.0% +16.3%
2006 29.7% +6.3%
2007 30.8% +3.6%
2008 31.9% +3.8%
2009 32.5% +1.7%
2010 33.0% +1.8%
2011 33.7% +1.9%
2012 34.1% +1.4%
2013 35.4% +3.6%
2014 35.4% +0.1%
2015 36.2% +2.3%
2016 35.8% -1.0%
2017 36.1% +0.7%
2018 36.6% +1.4%
2019 36.7% +0.3%
2020 37.3% +1.6%
2021 38.3% +2.9%
2023 39.3% +2.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 19.7% 18.9% 20.6% 4
2000s 26.7% 21.2% 32.5% 10
2010s 35.3% 33.0% 36.7% 10
2020s 38.3% 37.3% 39.3% 3

Countries ranked near Germany

  1. 55 France 39.7% compare
  2. 56 Costa Rica 39.5% compare
  3. 57 Hungary 39.3% compare
  4. 59 Netherlands 38.7% compare
  5. 60 Belarus 38.7%
  6. 61 Macau, China 38.3% compare

See the full ranking of 74 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 39.3% 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 39.3% in 2023.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Germany?
The lowest recorded value was 18.9% in 1996.
How does Germany rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte)?
Germany ranks 58th out of 74 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 11.1%. 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) - Higher education. 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-higher-education/germany/

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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