Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants in South Africa

South Africa: Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants was 444.16 per 1000000 pop in 2022. ▲ Rising

Latest (2022)
444.16 per 1000000 pop
Change on year
down 2.3%
World rank
81st
of 106 countries
All-time high
516.54 per 1000000 pop
in 2017
All-time low
292.81 per 1000000 pop
in 2003
Years of data
21
2001–2022

Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants in South Africa, 2001–2022

02004006002001201120222001: 299.5 per 1000000 pop2003: 292.8 per 1000000 pop2004: 367.5 per 1000000 pop2005: 351.4 per 1000000 pop2006: 373.4 per 1000000 pop2007: 384.4 per 1000000 pop2008: 381.6 per 1000000 pop2009: 384.8 per 1000000 pop2010: 359.8 per 1000000 pop2011: 382 per 1000000 pop2012: 401 per 1000000 pop2013: 430.4 per 1000000 pop2014: 427.6 per 1000000 pop2015: 466.6 per 1000000 pop2016: 482 per 1000000 pop2017: 516.5 per 1000000 pop2018: 500.8 per 1000000 pop2019: 479.9 per 1000000 pop2020: 460 per 1000000 pop2021: 454.8 per 1000000 pop2022: 444.2 per 1000000 pop

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in per 1000000 pop.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 444.16 per 1000000 pop for researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants in 2022.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.3% on the previous year and up 10.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants in South Africa peaked at 516.54 per 1000000 pop in 2017 and was at its lowest, 292.81 per 1000000 pop, in 2003.

South Africa ranks 81st of 106 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 21 years of available data.

Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants (per 1,000,000 population) in South Africa, 2001 to 2022.
Year per 1000000 pop Change
2001 299.48 per 1000000 pop
2003 292.81 per 1000000 pop -2.2%
2004 367.55 per 1000000 pop +25.5%
2005 351.39 per 1000000 pop -4.4%
2006 373.41 per 1000000 pop +6.3%
2007 384.42 per 1000000 pop +2.9%
2008 381.59 per 1000000 pop -0.7%
2009 384.85 per 1000000 pop +0.9%
2010 359.81 per 1000000 pop -6.5%
2011 381.97 per 1000000 pop +6.2%
2012 400.95 per 1000000 pop +5.0%
2013 430.45 per 1000000 pop +7.4%
2014 427.64 per 1000000 pop -0.7%
2015 466.56 per 1000000 pop +9.1%
2016 482 per 1000000 pop +3.3%
2017 516.54 per 1000000 pop +7.2%
2018 500.79 per 1000000 pop -3.0%
2019 479.87 per 1000000 pop -4.2%
2020 459.99 per 1000000 pop -4.1%
2021 454.8 per 1000000 pop -1.1%
2022 444.16 per 1000000 pop -2.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 354.44 per 1000000 pop 292.81 per 1000000 pop 384.85 per 1000000 pop 8
2010s 444.66 per 1000000 pop 359.81 per 1000000 pop 516.54 per 1000000 pop 10
2020s 452.98 per 1000000 pop 444.16 per 1000000 pop 459.99 per 1000000 pop 3

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 78 Costa Rica 507.76 per 1000000 pop compare
  2. 79 Trinidad and Tobago 492.72 per 1000000 pop compare
  3. 80 Pakistan 473.72 per 1000000 pop compare
  4. 82 Mexico 438.25 per 1000000 pop compare
  5. 83 Ecuador 400.26 per 1000000 pop compare
  6. 84 Indonesia 395.34 per 1000000 pop compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More science & technology data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants in South Africa?
Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants in South Africa was 444.16 per 1000000 pop in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 516.54 per 1000000 pop in 2017.
What is the lowest researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 292.81 per 1000000 pop in 2003.
How does South Africa rank for researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants?
South Africa ranks 81st out of 106 countries with data for 2022.
Is researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 10.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants (per 1,000,000 population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/researchers-in-full-time-equivalent-per-million-inhabitants-per-1-000-000-population/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Researchers (in full-time equivalent) per million inhabitants (per 1,000,000 population)
Unit
per 1000000 pop
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
128 places, 2,316 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed