Number of R&D researchers per million people in Malaysia
Malaysia: Number of R&D researchers per million people was 1,218 per million people in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Number of R&D researchers per million people in Malaysia, 1996–2022
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 2022, number of r&d researchers per million people in Malaysia stood at 1,218 per million people.
The figure is up 71.2% on the previous year and down 31.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of r&d researchers per million people in Malaysia peaked at 2,334 per million people in 2016 and was at its lowest, 91.99 per million people, in 1996.
Malaysia ranks 54th 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 Malaysia, year by year
| Year | per million people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 91.99 per million people | — |
| 1998 | 157.87 per million people | +71.6% |
| 2000 | 282.98 per million people | +79.3% |
| 2002 | 300.56 per million people | +6.2% |
| 2004 | 507.43 per million people | +68.8% |
| 2006 | 371.05 per million people | -26.9% |
| 2008 | 598.97 per million people | +61.4% |
| 2009 | 1,063 per million people | +77.5% |
| 2010 | 1,453 per million people | +36.7% |
| 2011 | 1,634 per million people | +12.5% |
| 2012 | 1,770 per million people | +8.3% |
| 2014 | 2,016 per million people | +13.9% |
| 2015 | 2,257 per million people | +11.9% |
| 2016 | 2,334 per million people | +3.4% |
| 2018 | 2,110 per million people | -9.6% |
| 2020 | 711.51 per million people | -66.3% |
| 2022 | 1,218 per million people | +71.2% |
Malaysia compared with similar countries
- Malaysia's 1,218 per million people is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 758.01 per million people, 1.6× the median. (31 countries reporting)
- Malaysia's 1,218 per million people is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3,338 per million people, 36% of the median. (14 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 124.93 per million people | 91.99 per million people | 157.87 per million people | 2 |
| 2000s | 520.67 per million people | 282.98 per million people | 1,063 per million people | 6 |
| 2010s | 1,939 per million people | 1,453 per million people | 2,334 per million people | 7 |
| 2020s | 964.92 per million people | 711.51 per million people | 1,218 per million people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More science & technology data for Malaysia
- Mobile landline subscriptions, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, gaps filled 139.66 (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per capita 1.4 units per person (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, gaps filled 49.66 million (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, per square kilometre 152.6 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Mobile landline subscriptions, annual growth rate -2.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Mobile cellular subscriptions by country, annual growth rate -0.9474 % change on previous year (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents, gaps filled 6,356 (2024)
- Patent applications, nonresidents 6,356 (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of r&d researchers per million people in Malaysia?
- Number of r&d researchers per million people in Malaysia was 1,218 per million people in 2022, 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 Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 2,334 per million people in 2016.
- What is the lowest number of r&d researchers per million people recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 91.99 per million people in 1996.
- How does Malaysia rank for number of r&d researchers per million people?
- Malaysia ranks 54th out of 103 countries with data for 2022.
- Is number of r&d researchers per million people rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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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