Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Japan

Japan: Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex was 989,223 Head count in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
989,223 Head count
Change on year
down 1.5%
World rank
1st
of 50 countries
All-time high
1.00 million Head count
in 2022
All-time low
791,224 Head count
in 2002
Years of data
23
2001–2023

Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Japan, 2001–2023

0250.0k500.0k750.0k1.0M2001201220232001: 792.7k Head count2002: 791.2k Head count2003: 830.5k Head count2004: 830.5k Head count2005: 861.9k Head count2006: 874.7k Head count2007: 883.4k Head count2008: 890.7k Head count2009: 889.3k Head count2010: 894.1k Head count2011: 892.7k Head count2012: 887.1k Head count2013: 892.4k Head count2014: 926.7k Head count2015: 907.5k Head count2016: 917.7k Head count2017: 930.7k Head count2018: 935.7k Head count2019: 942.2k Head count2020: 951.7k Head count2021: 983.6k Head count2022: 1.0M Head count2023: 989.2k Head count

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Head count.

Analysis

Japan recorded 989,223 Head count for researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in 2023.

The figure is down 1.5% on the previous year and up 10.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Japan peaked at 1.00 million Head count in 2022 and was at its lowest, 791,224 Head count, in 2002.

That places Japan 1st out of 50 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.

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

Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Japan, year by year

Annual values for Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Japan, 2001 to 2023.
Year Head count Change
2001 792,699 Head count
2002 791,224 Head count -0.2%
2003 830,545 Head count +5.0%
2004 830,474 Head count -0.0%
2005 861,901 Head count +3.8%
2006 874,690 Head count +1.5%
2007 883,386 Head count +1.0%
2008 890,669 Head count +0.8%
2009 889,341 Head count -0.1%
2010 894,138 Head count +0.5%
2011 892,684 Head count -0.2%
2012 887,067 Head count -0.6%
2013 892,406 Head count +0.6%
2014 926,671 Head count +3.8%
2015 907,455 Head count -2.1%
2016 917,725 Head count +1.1%
2017 930,720 Head count +1.4%
2018 935,658 Head count +0.5%
2019 942,180 Head count +0.7%
2020 951,726 Head count +1.0%
2021 983,604 Head count +3.3%
2022 1.00 million Head count +2.1%
2023 989,223 Head count -1.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 849,437 Head count 791,224 Head count 890,669 Head count 9
2010s 912,670 Head count 887,067 Head count 942,180 Head count 10
2020s 982,108 Head count 951,726 Head count 1.00 million Head count 4

Countries ranked near Japan

  1. 2 Germany 742,803 Head count compare
  2. 3 South Korea 603,566 Head count compare
  3. 3 South Korea 603,566 Head count compare

See the full ranking of 53 places →

More science & technology data for Japan

All data for Japan →

Frequently asked questions

What is researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Japan?
Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Japan was 989,223 Head count in 2023, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex recorded in Japan?
The highest recorded value was 1.00 million Head count in 2022.
What is the lowest researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex recorded in Japan?
The lowest recorded value was 791,224 Head count in 2002.
How does Japan rank for researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex?
Japan ranks 1st out of 50 countries with data for 2023.
Is researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex rising or falling in Japan?
Over the last ten years it is up 10.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Japan data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Japan. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/researchers-by-sector-of-performance-age-class-and-sex/japan/

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About this data

Indicator
Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex
Unit
Head count
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
53 places, 1,242 data points, 1980–2024
Last refreshed