Number of R&D researchers per million people in Iran
Iran: Number of R&D researchers per million people was 2,240 per million people in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Number of R&D researchers per million people in Iran, 2006–2021
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in per million people.
Analysis
In 2021, number of r&d researchers per million people in Iran stood at 2,240 per million people. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.
That represents a change of up 41.0% on the previous year and up 214.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of r&d researchers per million people in Iran peaked at 2,240 per million people in 2021 and was at its lowest, 650.5 per million people, in 2013.
Iran ranks 42nd of 103 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of R&D researchers per million people in Iran, year by year
| Year | per million people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 695.94 per million people | — |
| 2008 | 723.09 per million people | +3.9% |
| 2009 | 687.77 per million people | -4.9% |
| 2010 | 712.44 per million people | +3.6% |
| 2012 | 667.69 per million people | -6.3% |
| 2013 | 650.5 per million people | -2.6% |
| 2015 | 789.46 per million people | +21.4% |
| 2017 | 1,409 per million people | +78.5% |
| 2019 | 1,588 per million people | +12.7% |
| 2021 | 2,240 per million people | +41.0% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 2,240 per million people is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 758.01 per million people, 3.0× the median. (31 countries reporting)
- Iran's 2,240 per million people is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,102 per million people, 2.0× the median. (12 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 702.27 per million people | 687.77 per million people | 723.09 per million people | 3 |
| 2010s | 969.61 per million people | 650.5 per million people | 1,588 per million people | 6 |
| 2020s | 2,240 per million people | 2,240 per million people | 2,240 per million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More science & technology data for Iran
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 174.07 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.74 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 159.39 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 92.86 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate 4.68 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 5.79 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 343 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 343 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of r&d researchers per million people in Iran?
- Number of r&d researchers per million people in Iran was 2,240 per million people in 2021, 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 Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 2,240 per million people in 2021.
- What is the lowest number of r&d researchers per million people recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 650.5 per million people in 2013.
- How does Iran rank for number of r&d researchers per million people?
- Iran ranks 42nd out of 103 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of r&d researchers per million people rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 214.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran 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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