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

Italy: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) was 57.5% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
57.5%
Change on year
up 2.2%
World rank
9th
of 53 countries
All-time high
57.5%
in 2023
All-time low
47.5%
in 2006
Years of data
21
2003–2023

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

02040602003201320232003: 50.82004: 50.12005: 51.52006: 47.52007: 49.72008: 49.42009: 50.22010: 50.82011: 512012: 51.72013: 52.72014: 502015: 522016: 53.12017: 52.92018: 53.42019: 53.62020: 53.32021: 55.32022: 56.22023: 57.5

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2023, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Italy stood at 57.5%. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.2% on the previous year and up 9.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) in Italy peaked at 57.5% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 47.5%, in 2006.

Italy ranks 9th of 53 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

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) - Private non-profit in Italy, 2003 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2003 50.8%
2004 50.1% -1.3%
2005 51.5% +2.9%
2006 47.5% -7.9%
2007 49.7% +4.6%
2008 49.4% -0.6%
2009 50.2% +1.7%
2010 50.8% +1.1%
2011 51.0% +0.4%
2012 51.7% +1.5%
2013 52.7% +1.8%
2014 50.0% -5.1%
2015 52.0% +4.2%
2016 53.1% +2.0%
2017 52.9% -0.3%
2018 53.4% +0.9%
2019 53.6% +0.5%
2020 53.3% -0.5%
2021 55.3% +3.7%
2022 56.2% +1.7%
2023 57.5% +2.2%

Italy compared with similar countries

  • Italy's 57.5% is above the median for high income countries, which is 48.4%, 1.2× the median. (26 countries reporting)
  • Italy's 57.5% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 48.2%, 1.2× the median. (29 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 49.9% 47.5% 51.5% 7
2010s 52.1% 50.0% 53.6% 10
2020s 55.6% 53.3% 57.5% 4

Countries ranked near Italy

  1. 6 South Africa 61.5% compare
  2. 7 Mauritius 61.3% compare
  3. 8 Denmark 60.9% compare
  4. 10 Uruguay 55.9% compare
  5. 11 Thailand 55.1% compare
  6. 12 North Macedonia 55.0% compare

See the full ranking of 53 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 57.5% 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 57.5% in 2023.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte) recorded in Italy?
The lowest recorded value was 47.5% in 2006.
How does Italy rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (fte)?
Italy ranks 9th out of 53 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 9.1%. 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) - Private non-profit. 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 16 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/female-researchers-as-a-percentage-of-total-researchers-fte-private-non-profit/italy/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (FTE) - Private non-profit
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
53 places, 728 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release