Europe’s innovation engine runs on skilled people, scientists, engineers, technicians, and researchers, driving new ideas and technologies. In 2024, there were 126.2 million people aged 15 to 74 classified as human resources in science and technology (HRST), making up 49.2% of the EU’s entire labor force.
According to Eurostat, some regions have far higher shares of this talent than others. These powerhouses don’t just shape their own economies, they help define the EU’s global competitiveness. This ranking, counting down from 10 to one, highlights the top hubs where science and tech talent thrives. Click on to discover who leads, and why.