Definition

Researchers are professionals engaged in the conception and creation of new knowledge, products, processes, methods and systems, as well as those who are directly involved in the management of projects. They include researchers working in both civil and military research in government, universities and research institutes as well as in the business sector.

The number of researchers is measured in full-time equivalent (i.e. a person working half-time on R D is counted as 0.5 person-year) and expressed per thousand people employed in each country. The number of researchers includes staff engaged in R D during the course of one year.

For more statistics on economic, environmental and social issues visit online the OECD Factbook 2010.