Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Republic of Korea

Republic of Korea: Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex was 603,566 Head count in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
603,566 Head count
Change on year
up 0.3%
World rank
3rd
of 50 countries
All-time high
603,566 Head count
in 2023
All-time low
129,767 Head count
in 1998
Years of data
27
1997–2023

Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Republic of Korea, 1997–2023

100.0k200.0k300.0k400.0k500.0k600.0k1997201020231997: 138.4k Head count1998: 129.8k Head count1999: 134.6k Head count2000: 160.0k Head count2001: 178.9k Head count2002: 189.9k Head count2003: 198.2k Head count2004: 210.0k Head count2005: 234.7k Head count2006: 256.6k Head count2007: 289.1k Head count2008: 300.1k Head count2009: 323.2k Head count2010: 345.9k Head count2011: 375.2k Head count2012: 401.7k Head count2013: 410.3k Head count2014: 437.4k Head count2015: 453.3k Head count2016: 460.8k Head count2017: 482.8k Head count2018: 514.2k Head count2019: 538.1k Head count2020: 558.0k Head count2021: 586.7k Head count2022: 601.5k Head count2023: 603.6k Head count

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Head count.

Analysis

In 2023, researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Republic of Korea stood at 603,566 Head count. That is the highest value across all 27 years on record.

That represents a change of up 0.3% on the previous year and up 47.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Republic of Korea peaked at 603,566 Head count in 2023 and was at its lowest, 129,767 Head count, in 1998.

Republic of Korea ranks 3rd of 50 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 27 years of available data.

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

Annual values for Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Republic of Korea, 1997 to 2023.
Year Head count Change
1997 138,438 Head count
1998 129,767 Head count -6.3%
1999 134,568 Head count +3.7%
2000 159,973 Head count +18.9%
2001 178,937 Head count +11.9%
2002 189,888 Head count +6.1%
2003 198,171 Head count +4.4%
2004 209,979 Head count +6.0%
2005 234,702 Head count +11.8%
2006 256,598 Head count +9.3%
2007 289,098 Head count +12.7%
2008 300,050 Head count +3.8%
2009 323,175 Head count +7.7%
2010 345,912 Head count +7.0%
2011 375,176 Head count +8.5%
2012 401,724 Head count +7.1%
2013 410,333 Head count +2.1%
2014 437,447 Head count +6.6%
2015 453,262 Head count +3.6%
2016 460,769 Head count +1.7%
2017 482,796 Head count +4.8%
2018 514,170 Head count +6.5%
2019 538,136 Head count +4.7%
2020 558,045 Head count +3.7%
2021 586,666 Head count +5.1%
2022 601,530 Head count +2.5%
2023 603,566 Head count +0.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 134,258 Head count 129,767 Head count 138,438 Head count 3
2000s 234,057 Head count 159,973 Head count 323,175 Head count 10
2010s 441,972 Head count 345,912 Head count 538,136 Head count 10
2020s 587,452 Head count 558,045 Head count 603,566 Head count 4

Countries ranked near Republic of Korea

  1. 1 Japan 989,223 Head count compare
  2. 2 Germany 742,803 Head count compare
  3. 3 South Korea 603,566 Head count compare
  4. 5 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 535,477 Head count compare
  5. 5 United Kingdom 535,477 Head count compare

See the full ranking of 53 places →

More science & technology data for Republic of Korea

All data for Republic of Korea →

Frequently asked questions

What is researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Republic of Korea?
Researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex in Republic of Korea was 603,566 Head count in 2023, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex recorded in Republic of Korea?
The highest recorded value was 603,566 Head count in 2023.
What is the lowest researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex recorded in Republic of Korea?
The lowest recorded value was 129,767 Head count in 1998.
How does Republic of Korea rank for researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex?
Republic of Korea ranks 3rd out of 50 countries with data for 2023.
Is researchers by sector of performance, age class and sex rising or falling in Republic of Korea?
Over the last ten years it is up 47.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Republic of Korea 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 Republic of Korea. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/researchers-by-sector-of-performance-age-class-and-sex/korea-rep/

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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