Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Japan

Japan: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) was 21.6% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
21.6%
Change on year
up 1.7%
World rank
85th
of 92 countries
All-time high
21.6%
in 2023
All-time low
11.3%
in 2001
Years of data
23
2001–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Japan, 2001–2023

051015202001201220232001: 11.32002: 11.52003: 11.72004: 12.22005: 12.52006: 13.22007: 13.82008: 14.12009: 14.62010: 15.62011: 15.42012: 15.92013: 16.22014: 16.92015: 17.82016: 18.22017: 18.52018: 18.82019: 19.52020: 20.32021: 20.92022: 21.32023: 21.6

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2023, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Japan stood at 21.6%. That is the highest value across all 23 years on record.

The figure is up 1.7% on the previous year and up 33.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Japan peaked at 21.6% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 11.3%, in 2001.

That places Japan 85th out of 92 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 23 years of available data.

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Japan, year by year

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Government in Japan, 2001 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2001 11.3%
2002 11.5% +1.6%
2003 11.7% +1.7%
2004 12.2% +4.8%
2005 12.5% +2.5%
2006 13.2% +5.3%
2007 13.8% +4.7%
2008 14.1% +1.9%
2009 14.6% +3.9%
2010 15.6% +6.2%
2011 15.4% -1.3%
2012 15.9% +3.5%
2013 16.2% +2.1%
2014 16.9% +3.8%
2015 17.8% +5.3%
2016 18.2% +2.3%
2017 18.5% +1.8%
2018 18.8% +1.9%
2019 19.5% +3.5%
2020 20.3% +4.2%
2021 20.9% +3.0%
2022 21.3% +1.6%
2023 21.6% +1.7%

Japan compared with similar countries

  • Japan's 21.6% is below the median for high income countries, which is 46.4%, 47% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
  • Japan's 21.6% is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 50.3%, 43% of the median. (10 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 12.8% 11.3% 14.6% 9
2010s 17.3% 15.4% 19.5% 10
2020s 21.0% 20.3% 21.6% 4

Countries ranked near Japan

  1. 82 Korea 29.7% compare
  2. 83 Saudi Arabia 28.5% compare
  3. 84 Morocco 25.5% compare
  4. 86 Mali 20.4% compare
  5. 87 Burkina Faso 17.8% compare
  6. 88 Pakistan 15.6% compare

See the full ranking of 92 places →

More science & technology data for Japan

All data for Japan →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Japan?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Japan was 21.6% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Japan?
The highest recorded value was 21.6% in 2023.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Japan?
The lowest recorded value was 11.3% in 2001.
How does Japan rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc)?
Japan ranks 85th out of 92 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) rising or falling in Japan?
Over the last ten years it is up 33.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Japan data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Government. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Japan. 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-hc-government/japan/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Government
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
92 places, 1,481 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release