Number of R&D researchers per million people in Australia
Australia: Number of R&D researchers per million people was 4,569 per million people in 2010. ▲ Rising
Number of R&D researchers per million people in Australia, 1996–2010
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in per million people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of r&d researchers per million people in Australia is 4,569 per million people, measured in 2010. That is the highest value across all 8 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.3% on the previous year and up 31.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of r&d researchers per million people in Australia peaked at 4,569 per million people in 2010 and was at its lowest, 3,354 per million people, in 1996.
Australia ranks 26th of 103 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Number of R&D researchers per million people in Australia, year by year
| Year | per million people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 3,354 per million people | — |
| 1998 | 3,380 per million people | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 3,471 per million people | +2.7% |
| 2002 | 3,756 per million people | +8.2% |
| 2004 | 4,074 per million people | +8.5% |
| 2006 | 4,269 per million people | +4.8% |
| 2008 | 4,380 per million people | +2.6% |
| 2010 | 4,569 per million people | +4.3% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 4,569 per million people is below the median for high income countries, which is 4,601 per million people, 99% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
- Australia's 4,569 per million people is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3,338 per million people, 1.4× the median. (14 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3,367 per million people | 3,354 per million people | 3,380 per million people | 2 |
| 2000s | 3,990 per million people | 3,471 per million people | 4,380 per million people | 5 |
| 2010s | 4,569 per million people | 4,569 per million people | 4,569 per million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More science & technology data for Australia
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 112.58 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.11 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 30.07 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 3.87 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 0.0604 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 1.05 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 27,945 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 27,945 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of r&d researchers per million people in Australia?
- Number of r&d researchers per million people in Australia was 4,569 per million people in 2010, according to UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of r&d researchers per million people recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 4,569 per million people in 2010.
- What is the lowest number of r&d researchers per million people recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,354 per million people in 1996.
- How does Australia rank for number of r&d researchers per million people?
- Australia ranks 26th out of 103 countries with data for 2010.
- Is number of r&d researchers per million people rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 31.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of R&D researchers per million people. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Professionals engaged in conceiving or creating new knowledge, products, processes, methods, or systems.