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

Belgium: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) was 50.9% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
50.9%
Change on year
down 1.5%
World rank
18th
of 65 countries
All-time high
53.4%
in 2021
All-time low
36.0%
in 2011
Years of data
22
2002–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Belgium, 2002–2023

02040602002201220232002: 41.62003: 41.52004: 422005: 41.22006: 42.62007: 42.32008: 39.42009: 38.32010: 38.82011: 362012: 45.42013: 44.32014: 44.22015: 49.12016: 49.62017: 48.62018: 48.62019: 49.42020: 51.72021: 53.42022: 51.72023: 50.9

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

Belgium recorded 50.9% for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in 2023.

The figure is down 1.5% on the previous year and up 14.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Belgium peaked at 53.4% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 36.0%, in 2011.

Belgium ranks 18th of 65 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.

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

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Private non-profit in Belgium, 2002 to 2023.
Year Value Change
2002 41.6%
2003 41.5% -0.1%
2004 42.0% +1.1%
2005 41.2% -2.0%
2006 42.6% +3.6%
2007 42.3% -0.7%
2008 39.4% -7.1%
2009 38.3% -2.8%
2010 38.8% +1.5%
2011 36.0% -7.3%
2012 45.4% +26.2%
2013 44.3% -2.4%
2014 44.2% -0.3%
2015 49.1% +11.2%
2016 49.6% +1.0%
2017 48.6% -2.0%
2018 48.6% -0.1%
2019 49.4% +1.6%
2020 51.7% +4.7%
2021 53.4% +3.3%
2022 51.7% -3.3%
2023 50.9% -1.5%

Belgium compared with similar countries

  • Belgium's 50.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 47.9%, 1.1× the median. (31 countries reporting)
  • Belgium's 50.9% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 47.4%, 1.1× the median. (33 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Belgium changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.

YearChange FromTo
2012 +26.2% 36.0% 45.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 41.1% 38.3% 42.6% 8
2010s 45.4% 36.0% 49.6% 10
2020s 51.9% 50.9% 53.4% 4

Countries ranked near Belgium

  1. 15 Argentina 54.5% compare
  2. 16 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 52.5% compare
  3. 17 Portugal 52.4% compare
  4. 19 Spain 50.4% compare
  5. 20 Austria 50.4% compare
  6. 21 Bulgaria 50.0% compare
  7. 21 Costa Rica 50.0% compare
  8. 21 Serbia 50.0% compare

See the full ranking of 65 places →

More science & technology data for Belgium

All data for Belgium →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Belgium?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Belgium was 50.9% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Belgium?
The highest recorded value was 53.4% in 2021.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Belgium?
The lowest recorded value was 36.0% in 2011.
How does Belgium rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc)?
Belgium ranks 18th out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) rising or falling in Belgium?
Over the last ten years it is up 14.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Belgium data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Private non-profit. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Belgium. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/female-researchers-as-a-percentage-of-total-researchers-hc-private-non-profit/belgium/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Private non-profit
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
65 places, 955 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release