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Human resources

A total of 23,644 R&D personnel were recorded in 2007, up by 3% over 2006. Most of them were engaged in the business and higher education sectors, which accounted for 54% and 44% respectively. There were 12,673 business R&D personnel in 2007, representing a marked increase of 70% compared with 2003. Researchers, technicians and other supporting staff constituted 74%, 17% and 9% respectively of the total R&D personnel in the business sector in 2007.

Table: Human Resources in R&D
SourceNational R&D SurveyUNESCO
YearYear: 2007Year: 2006
UnitsFTEFTE
R&D Personnel23,64422,977
R&D Personnel per thousand employed  
Business R&D Personnel12,67312,682
Higher education R&D Personnel10,4919,862
Government R&D Personnel480433
Private non-profit R&D Personnel  
Researchers 18,326
Researchers per thousand employed  
Business Researchers9,4068,852
Higher education Researchers9,7739,141
Government Researchers375333
Private non-profit Researchers  
Source: Source: (1) Statistics on R&D of Hong Kong from 2003 to 2007, May 2009 & (2) UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2009 edition