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

Italy: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) was 44.9% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
44.9%
Change on year
up 1.1%
World rank
41st
of 74 countries
All-time high
44.9%
in 2023
All-time low
31.3%
in 2003
Years of data
21
2003–2023

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

0102030402003201320232003: 31.32004: 31.82005: 37.52006: 38.42007: 38.72008: 39.52009: 40.92010: 41.82011: 41.82012: 42.82013: 432014: 432015: 43.42016: 43.52017: 43.62018: 43.72019: 442020: 43.72021: 442022: 44.42023: 44.9

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2023, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Italy stood at 44.9%. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.

That represents a change of up 1.1% on the previous year and up 4.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Italy peaked at 44.9% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 31.3%, in 2003.

That places Italy 41st 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 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) - Higher education in Italy, 2003 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2003 31.3%
2004 31.8% +1.5%
2005 37.5% +17.9%
2006 38.4% +2.5%
2007 38.7% +0.7%
2008 39.5% +2.2%
2009 40.9% +3.5%
2010 41.8% +2.2%
2011 41.8% +0.0%
2012 42.8% +2.4%
2013 43.0% +0.3%
2014 43.0% +0.0%
2015 43.4% +1.0%
2016 43.5% +0.2%
2017 43.6% +0.2%
2018 43.7% +0.2%
2019 44.0% +0.7%
2020 43.7% -0.5%
2021 44.0% +0.7%
2022 44.4% +0.7%
2023 44.9% +1.1%

Italy compared with similar countries

  • Italy's 44.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 44.3%, 1.0× the median. (38 countries reporting)
  • Italy's 44.9% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 46.5%, 96% of the median. (37 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 36.9% 31.3% 40.9% 7
2010s 43.1% 41.8% 44.0% 10
2020s 44.2% 43.7% 44.9% 4

Countries ranked near Italy

  1. 38 Sweden 46.5% compare
  2. 39 Türkiye 46.5% compare
  3. 40 Belgium 45.9% compare
  4. 42 Indonesia 43.9% compare
  5. 43 Greece 43.8% compare
  6. 44 Spain 43.7% compare

See the full ranking of 74 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 44.9% 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 44.9% in 2023.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Italy?
The lowest recorded value was 31.3% in 2003.
How does Italy rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte)?
Italy ranks 41st out of 74 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 4.4%. 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) - Higher education. 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 14 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/female-researchers-as-a-percentage-of-total-researchers-fte-higher-education/italy/

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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