5. INVESTING IN THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY
5.3. Human resources in science and technology
Human resources in science and technology (HRST)
are major actors in innovation. In most OECD coun-
HRST data reported here only concern occupa-
tries, they represented more than a quarter of total
tions. This category of workers corresponds to
employment in 2008. The share was even larger in
professionals and technicians as defined in the
northern Europe (39.6% in Sweden, 39.1% in
International Standard Classification of Occupa-
Denmark, 38.0% in Norway, 34.2% in Finland) but
tions (ISCO-88) major groups 2 and 3:
also in Australia (35.8%), Canada (35.5%) and the
" Professionals (ISCO group 2) includes: physical,
United States (32.3%). There is no single pattern in
mathematical and engineering science profes-
terms of the split between professionals and techni-
sionals (physicists, chemists, mathematicians,
cians: in some countries professionals are more
statisticians, computing professionals, archi-
numerous than technicians (Belgium, Ireland and
tects, engineers); life science and health profes-
Luxembourg); in others the opposite is true (Czech
sionals (biologists, agronomists, doctors, dentist,
Republic, Italy and Norway).
veterinarians, pharmacists, nursing); teaching
A particular characteristic of HRST employment is
professionals; and other professionals (business,
the increasing share of women. Indeed, except in
legal, information, social science, creative,
Turkey, where they only represent 34.2%, women are
religious, public service administrative).
traditionally more numerous than men among
" Technicians and associate professionals (ISCO
HRST employees in OECD countries. In Hungary,
group 3) includes: physical and engineering
Poland and the Slovak Republic, 60% of HRST in 2008
science associate professionals; life science
were women.
and health associate professionals; teaching
A look at the industry structure of employment
associate professionals; other associate pro-
shows that HRST employees are more concentrated
fessionals (finance, sales, business services,
in services than in manufacturing. In 2007, the share
trade brokers, administrative, government,
of professionals and technicians in services varied
police inspectors, social work, artistic enter-
between 19.6% (in Japan) and 44.1% (in Luxembourg),
tainment and sport, religious).
whereas in manufacturing they were about 18% on
The original data were collected according to the
average in OECD countries for which data were
following industry classifications: European
available.
Union (NACE Rev. 1), Canada (NAICS 2002-Canada),
Over the past decade, HRST occupations increased
Japan (JSIC 2002), United States (NAICS 2002-US),
more rapidly than total employment in most OECD
Australia (ANZSIC 1993). They have then been
countries. In services, the average annual growth
converted to ISIC Rev. 3 for the ANSKILL database.
rate has always been positive, ranging from 1.1% (in
The industry groupings analysed here are: Man-
the United States) to 6.3% (in Spain). However, in
manufacturing, the share of professionals and tech- ufacturing (ISIC 15 to 37); Services (ISIC 50 to 99).
nicians decreased in Luxembourg ( 2.1%), the United
States ( 1.3%), Japan ( 1.2%) and Sweden ( 0.5%).
In Australia, both growth rates were stable over
Source
1997-2007.
OECD ANSKILL Database, 2009 (forthcoming).
Defining HRST workers
Going further
Human resources in science and technology
OECD and Eurostat (1995),  Manual on the Measure-
(HRST) are defined according to the Canberra
ment of Human Resources Devoted to S&T   Canberra
Manual (OECD and Eurostat, 1995) as persons
Manual  , OECD general distribution document, OCDE/
having graduated at the tertiary level of educa-
GD(95)77, www.oecd.org/dataoecd/34/0/2096025.pdf.
tion or employed in a science and technology
occupation for which a high qualification is
normally required and the innovation potential
Figure notes
is high.
Total HRST for Japan are likely to be underestimated.
OECD SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY SCOREBOARD 2009 © OECD 2009
136
5. INVESTING IN THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY
5.3. Human resources in science and technology
HRST occupations, 2008 Share of HRST employees by industry, 2007
As a percentage of total employment As a percentage of total employees in the industry
Professionals Technicians Services Manufacturing
Luxembourg Luxembourg
45.4
Sweden
50.8 Sweden
Denmark
52.0
Czech Republic
Norway
51.5
Germany
Netherlands
49.7
Norway
Germany
51.6
Netherlands
Australia
35.5
Iceland (2006)
Canada
57.8
Switzerland (2006)
Finland
55.2
United States
Czech Republic
52.8
Finland
Belgium
49.0
Slovak Republic
United States
51.6
Poland
France
48.9
Denmark
Italy
47.1
EU15 Italy
49.7
EU27
51.3 Canada (2006)
Austria
46.6
Belgium
Slovak Republic
59.3
Austria
New Zealand
55.1
Hungary
Hungary
60.0
Australia
United Kingdom
48.6
France
Poland
60.3
Greece
Spain
49.6
Spain
Ireland
53.0
United Kingdom
Greece
49.2
Ireland
Korea
43.4
Portugal
Portugal
51.8
Turkey
Japan
46.6
Percentage that are women
Turkey Japan
34.3
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 0 10 20 30 40 50
% %
1 2 http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/746567077843 1 2 http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/746604472507
Growth of HRST employees by industry, 1997-2007
Average annual growth rate
Services Manufacturing
%
10
8
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
1 2 http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/746612226814
OECD SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRY SCOREBOARD 2009 © OECD 2009
137
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