Number of R&D researchers per million people in Iraq
Iraq: Number of R&D researchers per million people was 164.28 per million people in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Number of R&D researchers per million people in Iraq, 2007–2021
Source: UNESCO UIS Stat Bulk Data Download Service, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in per million people.
Analysis
Iraq recorded 164.28 per million people for number of r&d researchers per million people in 2021.
That represents a change of up 20.3% on the previous year and down 61.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of r&d researchers per million people in Iraq peaked at 429.83 per million people in 2011 and was at its lowest, 62.31 per million people, in 2016.
Iraq ranks 85th of 103 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
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 Iraq, year by year
| Year | per million people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 370.87 per million people | — |
| 2008 | 391.66 per million people | +5.6% |
| 2009 | 407.43 per million people | +4.0% |
| 2010 | 420.65 per million people | +3.2% |
| 2011 | 429.83 per million people | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 66.44 per million people | -84.5% |
| 2015 | 63.15 per million people | -4.9% |
| 2016 | 62.31 per million people | -1.3% |
| 2017 | 102.29 per million people | +64.2% |
| 2018 | 107.35 per million people | +4.9% |
| 2019 | 118.27 per million people | +10.2% |
| 2020 | 136.6 per million people | +15.5% |
| 2021 | 164.28 per million people | +20.3% |
Iraq compared with similar countries
- Iraq's 164.28 per million people is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 758.01 per million people, 22% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
- Iraq's 164.28 per million people is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,102 per million people, 15% of the median. (12 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Number of R&D researchers per million people in Iraq changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | -84.5% | 429.83 per million people | 66.44 per million people |
| 2017 | +64.2% | 62.31 per million people | 102.29 per million people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 389.99 per million people | 370.87 per million people | 407.43 per million people | 3 |
| 2010s | 171.29 per million people | 62.31 per million people | 429.83 per million people | 8 |
| 2020s | 150.44 per million people | 136.6 per million people | 164.28 per million people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Iraq
More science & technology data for Iraq
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 100.08 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 46.08 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 105.27 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -1.29 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate 0.8293 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 82 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 82 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of r&d researchers per million people in Iraq?
- Number of r&d researchers per million people in Iraq was 164.28 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 Iraq?
- The highest recorded value was 429.83 per million people in 2011.
- What is the lowest number of r&d researchers per million people recorded in Iraq?
- The lowest recorded value was 62.31 per million people in 2016.
- How does Iraq rank for number of r&d researchers per million people?
- Iraq ranks 85th out of 103 countries with data for 2021.
- Is number of r&d researchers per million people rising or falling in Iraq?
- Over the last ten years it is down 61.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iraq 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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