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

Spain: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) was 50.4% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
50.4%
Change on year
down 0.4%
World rank
19th
of 65 countries
All-time high
55.1%
in 2004
All-time low
35.1%
in 1997
Years of data
26
1997–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Spain, 1997–2023

02040601997201020231997: 35.11999: 382000: 42.62001: 49.62002: 42.52003: 51.42004: 55.12005: 542006: 42.12007: 44.52008: 44.42009: 452010: 45.82011: 47.62012: 47.92013: 48.12014: 51.72015: 51.82016: 502017: 522018: 49.52019: 47.82020: 47.52021: 48.22022: 50.62023: 50.4

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2023, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Spain stood at 50.4%.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.4% on the previous year and up 4.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Spain peaked at 55.1% in 2004 and was at its lowest, 35.1%, in 1997.

That places Spain 19th out of 65 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 26 years of available data.

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

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Private non-profit in Spain, 1997 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1997 35.1%
1999 38.0% +8.1%
2000 42.6% +12.3%
2001 49.6% +16.3%
2002 42.5% -14.3%
2003 51.4% +21.0%
2004 55.1% +7.1%
2005 54.0% -1.9%
2006 42.1% -22.0%
2007 44.5% +5.5%
2008 44.4% -0.1%
2009 45.0% +1.3%
2010 45.8% +1.7%
2011 47.6% +4.0%
2012 47.9% +0.7%
2013 48.1% +0.3%
2014 51.7% +7.6%
2015 51.8% +0.1%
2016 50.0% -3.4%
2017 52.0% +4.0%
2018 49.5% -4.8%
2019 47.8% -3.4%
2020 47.5% -0.6%
2021 48.2% +1.5%
2022 50.6% +4.8%
2023 50.4% -0.4%

Spain compared with similar countries

  • Spain's 50.4% is above the median for high income countries, which is 47.9%, 1.1× the median. (31 countries reporting)
  • Spain's 50.4% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 47.4%, 1.1× the median. (33 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 36.5% 35.1% 38.0% 2
2000s 47.1% 42.1% 55.1% 10
2010s 49.2% 45.8% 52.0% 10
2020s 49.2% 47.5% 50.6% 4

Countries ranked near Spain

  1. 16 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 52.5% compare
  2. 17 Portugal 52.4% compare
  3. 18 Belgium 50.9% compare
  4. 20 Austria 50.4% compare
  5. 21 Bulgaria 50.0% compare
  6. 21 Costa Rica 50.0% compare
  7. 21 Serbia 50.0% compare

See the full ranking of 65 places →

More science & technology data for Spain

All data for Spain →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Spain?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Spain was 50.4% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Spain?
The highest recorded value was 55.1% in 2004.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Spain?
The lowest recorded value was 35.1% in 1997.
How does Spain rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc)?
Spain ranks 19th out of 65 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) rising or falling in Spain?
Over the last ten years it is up 4.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Spain 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 Spain. 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-hc-private-non-profit/spain/

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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