UNESCO Institute for Statistics, UIS Science and Technology survey results, UIS, Québec. 2009.

The number of researchers in developing countries jumped from 1.8 million to 2.7 million in five years (2002-2007), according to the new data release from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The rise in numbers of researchers corresponds to a 45 percent increase in numbers and an 8.1 percent increase in the global share of researchers (from 30.3% to 38.4%). In developed countries, the number of researchers increased by only 8.6 percent to 4.4 million during the same period.

The information was collected through the third UIS survey on statistics of science and technology (S&T), which is conducted every two years. It focuses on human resources devoted to research and development (R&D), as well as expenditure on R&D. Full results of the survey can be accessed at the UIS Data Centre.

UIS