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

Sweden: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) was 46.5% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
46.5%
Change on year
up 1.3%
World rank
38th
of 74 countries
All-time high
46.5%
in 2023
All-time low
26.9%
in 1997
Years of data
13
1997–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) in Sweden, 1997–2023

010203040501997201020231997: 26.91999: 30.92001: 33.52005: 37.92007: 37.62009: 37.32011: 38.12013: 38.82015: 40.22017: 442019: 44.82021: 45.92023: 46.5

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

Sweden recorded 46.5% for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in 2023. That is the highest value across all 13 years on record.

The figure is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 19.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Sweden peaked at 46.5% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 26.9%, in 1997.

That places Sweden 38th 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 13 years of available data.

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

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Higher education in Sweden, 1997 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1997 26.9%
1999 30.9% +14.6%
2001 33.5% +8.5%
2005 37.9% +13.4%
2007 37.6% -1.0%
2009 37.3% -0.8%
2011 38.1% +2.2%
2013 38.8% +2.0%
2015 40.2% +3.6%
2017 44.0% +9.3%
2019 44.8% +1.9%
2021 45.9% +2.4%
2023 46.5% +1.3%

Sweden compared with similar countries

  • Sweden's 46.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 44.3%, 1.0× the median. (38 countries reporting)
  • Sweden's 46.5% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 46.5%, 100% of the median. (37 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 28.9% 26.9% 30.9% 2
2000s 36.6% 33.5% 37.9% 4
2010s 41.2% 38.1% 44.8% 5
2020s 46.2% 45.9% 46.5% 2

Countries ranked near Sweden

  1. 35 Slovakia 47.0% compare
  2. 36 Poland 46.9% compare
  3. 37 Slovenia 46.5% compare
  4. 39 Türkiye 46.5% compare
  5. 40 Belgium 45.9% compare
  6. 41 Italy 44.9% compare

See the full ranking of 74 places →

More science & technology data for Sweden

All data for Sweden →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Sweden?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Sweden was 46.5% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Sweden?
The highest recorded value was 46.5% in 2023.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Sweden?
The lowest recorded value was 26.9% in 1997.
How does Sweden rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte)?
Sweden ranks 38th out of 74 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) rising or falling in Sweden?
Over the last ten years it is up 19.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Sweden 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 Sweden. 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/sweden/

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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