Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) was 26.7% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
26.7%
Change on year
down 2.4%
World rank
52nd
of 78 countries
All-time high
27.3%
in 2022
All-time low
19.1%
in 2011
Years of data
15
2005–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2005–2023

01020302005201420232005: 19.12006: 19.12007: 19.12008: 19.12009: 19.12010: 19.92011: 19.12012: 19.42013: 20.72014: 20.32015: 21.12016: 21.12017: 222022: 27.32023: 26.7

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

The most recent figure for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 26.7%, measured in 2023.

The figure is down 2.4% on the previous year and up 29.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 27.3% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 19.1%, in 2011.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 52nd of 78 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Business enterprise in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2005 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2005 19.1%
2006 19.1% -0.0%
2007 19.1% +0.0%
2008 19.1% +0.0%
2009 19.1% +0.0%
2010 19.9% +3.9%
2011 19.1% -4.0%
2012 19.4% +1.6%
2013 20.7% +6.6%
2014 20.3% -2.0%
2015 21.1% +4.2%
2016 21.1% -0.1%
2017 22.0% +4.2%
2022 27.3% +24.2%
2023 26.7% -2.4%

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland compared with similar countries

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 26.7% is below the median for high income countries, which is 26.8%, 100% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's 26.7% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 28.8%, 93% of the median. (43 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 19.1% 19.1% 19.1% 5
2010s 20.4% 19.1% 22.0% 8
2020s 27.0% 26.7% 27.3% 2

Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  1. 49 Singapore 28.0% compare
  2. 50 Iran, Islamic Republic of 27.5% compare
  3. 51 Saudi Arabia 26.9% compare
  4. 53 Estonia 26.4% compare
  5. 54 Switzerland 26.2% compare
  6. 55 Sweden 26.2% compare

See the full ranking of 78 places →

More science & technology data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 26.7% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 27.3% in 2022.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 19.1% in 2011.
How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc)?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 52nd out of 78 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is up 29.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Business enterprise. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 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-hc-business-enterprise/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Business enterprise
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
78 places, 1,249 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release