MOSCOW, November 10 The number of young scientists in Russia continues to grow, so in 2022 the number of scientists under the age of 30 increased by 537 people compared to 2021 , the number of scientists aged 30–39 years has increased by 135 people, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science reported, citing a study conducted by the Institute of Statistical Research and Economics of Knowledge of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.
“The rejuvenation of scientific personnel continues. In 2022, the number of young scientists under 30 years old increased by 537 people compared to 2021, 30-39 years old – by 135 people, 40-49 years old – by 3 thousand people,” the message says.
It is noted that last year in Russia the number of personnel engaged in research and development increased by 7.2 thousand people compared to 2021 and amounted to 669,870 people, the growth was due to an increase in the number of researchers, technicians (who participate in scientific research and developments, performing technical functions, mainly under the guidance of researchers), as well as support and other personnel (who install, adjust, repair scientific equipment and instruments, and perform business functions).
“The increase in the total number of researchers and young scientists under 30 years of age engaged in Russian science is a very important signal. It speaks of the effectiveness of state support programs for higher education and scientific institutes. Many of these support measures have been launched in recent years, and the effect will only increase “, said the head of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science Valery Falkov, his words are quoted in the message.
The ministry added that during the period from 2010 to 2022, the share of young scientists under the age of 39 increased from 35.5% to 44.1% (mainly due to the age group of 30-39 years), and the share of the age group 40-49 years – from 14.7% to 19.3%. At the same time, the share of researchers aged 50 to 59 years decreased from 24% to 12.9%.
According to the study's authors, this is partly due to a sharp decline in the number of young scientists in the 1990s. The most experienced researchers aged 60 to 69 years made up 14.3% last year (versus 16.5% in 2010), scientists aged 70 years and older made up 9.4% (versus 9.3 in 2010- m), the Ministry of Education and Science clarified.
Russia has retained its place in the top five world leaders in terms of the number of people employed in science (in full-time equivalent), and in terms of the number of the key category of scientific personnel – researchers – Russia ranks sixth, the department emphasized.
“Data on the positive dynamics of scientific personnel at the end of 2022 may indeed indicate a reversal of the long-term trend of declining employment in science. This is also confirmed by more optimistic assessments of the personnel situation in universities and research institutes than before… Now it is necessary to consolidate the emerging growth, and this requires even more large-scale and decisive actions to ensure an effective contract for both leading scientists and talented young scientists,” said Leonid Gokhberg, director of the ISSEK National Research University Higher School of Economics, as quoted by the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science.
The Ministry recalled that from November 28 to 30, the III Congress of Young Scientists, which is part of the plan for the Decade of Science and Technology, will be held on the federal territory of Sirius.