Data Report
High-Performance Chips of the New Generation
Semiconductors with a wide bandgap (e.g. SiC) for power electronics and new semiconductor structures with high efficiency.
Development of Chips with Open Architecture and Smart Memory
Open RISC-V architecture enables the creation of chips for AI, cybersecurity and automotive applications. The CHERI memory system increases both security and performance.
Design Tools and Manufacturing Quality
Analytical tools for chip design, verification and prototyping – including quality and efficiency control during production.
AI in Manufacturing
The use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing processes and applications–from cybersecurity to biomedicine, space technologies,
and intelligent sensors.
Energy-Efficient and Adaptive AI
Low-power, self-learning AI for autonomous systems – applicable in next-generation IoT, energy, aerospace and automotive sectors.
1/3 of Global Production
Every third electron microscope in the world is made in Brno.
2,800+ Employees
This is the number of employees working in microscopy-focused companies in Brno.
EUR 110+ Million
Revenue generated by Brno-based electron microscope manufacturers in 2023.
Brno Reaches for Space: Space Industry Workforce Grew by a Quarter in Just Three Years
Navigation systems in cars, meteorological models, telecommunications, and planetary research – satellite and space technologies are now a key part of everyday life and strategic development. And in this rapidly growing field the Brno region is gaining an increasingly strong position.
More than 30 companies in the region are now focused on space technologies. They employ over 400 highly qualified specialists, with 120 new talents joining in the past three years alone.
The annual revenue of space-related companies in the region is around EUR 40 million. Since 2020, they have been connected through the Brno Space Cluster, a platform that facilitates collaboration on international contracts, including projects with the European Space Agency (ESA).
Brno’s space industry builds on a strong tradition of precision engineering and microelectronics. While companies in the region once served primarily as subcontractors, they are now capable of leading their own projects from concept to completion.
Education also plays a crucial role. In 2021, Brno University of Technology launched an English-taught master’s programme in Space Applications, focused on designing and developing space technologies. From 2025, the programme will double its intake from 20 to 40 students. Startups benefit from the ESA BIC incubator, which has already supported 16 companies, some of which have secured venture capital funding.
EUR 1.5B Invested
The amount of money invested in Brno-based cybersecurity companies over the past 20 years.
1,500+ Experts in the Field
Hundreds of professionals in Brno specialize in digital security.
Brno’s First Unicorn
AVG Technologies became the first startup from Brno to surpass a valuation of one billion dollars.
40+ Game Dev Studios
Brno hosts indie teams and global game studios.
900+ Developers
A strong and growing community of game.
84 % Average Rating
User reviews on Steam confirm the quality of Brno games.
Leader in Knowledge Intensity in the Czech Republic
In 2023, the South Moravian Region maintained its position as the Czech leader in knowledge intensity, which is measured by the share of research and development (R&D) expenditure relative to GDP of the region. Despite a slight decrease from 3.1% to 2.8%, it remained at the top among Czech regions and well above both the national average (1.8%) and the EU average (2.3%).
Research investment has fluctuated over time, peaking between 2012 and 2015 due to major projects such as CEITEC and ICRC. In 2023, however, total spending rose slightly once again, reaching over EUR 955 million (+1.5%). The growth was driven primarily by the business sector (+2.9%), while public and academic expenditures saw a slight decline.
Electronics and electrical engineering have seen the most dynamic growth, with research spending increasing by 17%. This includes, for example, investments in cutting-edge electron microscopy.
As much as 93% of all research spending in the region is concentrated in Brno. In 2022, the city’s R&D investment-to-GDP ratio reached an exceptional 5.1 %. Here, research and development are not just part of the economy – they are its foundation.
One in Twenty People
Works in Research. In Brno,
as Many as One in Ten
Knowledge intensity is reflected not only in investment, but also in people. In the South Moravian Region, 4.3% of all employees work in research and development – the second-highest share in the Czech Republic, just behind Prague (6.7%). In Brno, the figure is even more striking: according to 2021 data, 10.8% of the city’s workforce was engaged in research. This highlights Brno’s exceptional specialization.
Research in the region is not limited to academia – 58% of specialists work in private companies, most of them in branches of international corporations. Small innovative companies are also thriving, as their numbers increased by nearly 10% year-on-year, reflecting a vibrant and growing startup scene.
More Researchers
Than in Many Larger Regions
According to Eurostat data from 2021, more than 25,000 people worked in research and development in the South Moravian Region. This placed it 53rd out of 249 regions across the EU, despite having a significantly smaller population than most of the higher-ranked regions.
For example, Berlin has 56,000 people working in research, Vienna 50,000, and Stockholm 48,000. The South Moravian Region is approaching these figures, despite having only about half their population.
As with knowledge intensity, this comparison is based on the European NUTS classification, where the South Moravian Region is designated as NUTS 3. However, its size allows it to be meaningfully compared with NUTS 2 regions, which are typically used for European statistical analysis. Despite varying approaches among countries, the core message remains clear: the region’s research potential is comparable to that of Western Europe, and often exceeds expectations based on its population size.
Brno’s University Student Population
on the Rise Again
In 2024, a total of 65,359 students were enrolled at universities in Brno. Over the past five years, this represents a 6.4% increase, reversing the downward trend that had persisted since 2010 due to smaller age cohorts. The growth is driven by larger incoming generations and a rising interest from international students. And the trend is expected to continue, with student numbers set to rise further.
Brno maintains a strong position in STEM fields. The highest number of students are enrolled in engineering, manufacturing, and construction (11,438), reflecting the region’s industrial heritage. One-third of all technically focused university students in the Czech Republic study in Brno.
Interest in computer science and information technology is also rising significantly. In 2024, 6,349 students were enrolled in these programmes, accounting for nearly 10% of all university students. This share is comparable to countries like Finland or Estonia. Brno’s IT students primarily find career opportunities in local companies and startups.
Other fields with strong representation include health and social care (6,418), agriculture and forestry (5,418), and natural sciences, mathematics, and statistics (4,744), all of which are becoming increasingly intertwined with technological and research-driven topics.
More Than Half of University Students Study STEM and Related Fields
In Brno, over 22,500 students are enrolled in STEM fields (natural sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics), accounting for more than one-third of all university students. When including medicine, agriculture, and veterinary sciences, which are increasingly linked to technology and research, the total reaches nearly 53% of students, or 34,367 individuals.
Doctoral studies are also strong in Brno. In 2024, a total of 2,835 students were pursuing Ph.D. degrees, with the highest concentration in the natural sciences (1,016). One in five students of natural sciences is a doctoral candidate. In the field of IT, the figure is even more striking: one in three Ph.D. students in the Czech Republic studies in Brno.
The city of Brno and JCMM support the most talented young researchers through the Brno Ph.D. Talent programme. Since its launch in 2009, the programme has awarded scholarships to 282 top doctoral students.
The recently launched STEM Project initiative is bringing together the region, city, universities, and tech companies. Its goal is to increase the number of STEM graduates by 30% within ten years and boost young people’s interest in technical and scientific education.
Brno Attracts Students from Around the World
Nearly a quarter of university students in Brno come from abroad. In 2024, 15,190 students from 128 countries were enrolled, making up 23.2% of all students in the region. The largest group is Slovak nationals – more than 10,000 of them study in Brno, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all international students.
International interest in Brno’s universities has been steadily growing. In 2001, international students made up only 4% of the student body; by 2010, that number had risen to 11.9%. In 2024, however, there was a slight decline (0.3%), mainly due to a drop in the number of students from Russia and Belarus.
The highest concentration of international students is found at the doctoral level, where they make up 30.5% of all Ph.D. candidates.
Brno has long been ranked among the best cities for student life. In 2023, it placed 4th globally in the Campus Advisor rankings, and 6th in past results of the prestigious QS Top Universities rankings.
Science, Engineering & IT: The Fastest-Growing Sectors in the Region
IT, science, and engineering are the driving forces of the modern economy, and this is even more pronounced in the South Moravian Region. In 2023, these sectors employed 70,000 people – a 52% increase compared to ten years ago. Of that number, 25,100 worked in IT, while 44,900 were employed in science and engineering. The vast majority (95%) work in the private sector.
In addition to its growing number of specialists, the region also stands out for its high wages. In 2023, the median gross salary for professionals in science and engineering positions was EUR 2,414, and in IT it reached EUR 3,047. Technicians earned slightly less – EUR 1,830 in science and engineering, and EUR 2,132 in IT.
These statistics are based on the international ISCO job classification and include roles ranging from developers and data analysts to technical specialists and project managers. It is worth noting that many IT professionals work as freelancers, which means the reported figures may slightly underestimate the real numbers. Still, Brno and the South Moravian Region remain among the strongest technology hubs in the Czech Republic.
An Attractive Region for Foreigners: International Residents Make Up One Tenth of the Population
The South Moravian Region is attracting more and more people from abroad. In 2024, there were 110,034 foreign nationals living in the region – an increase of 3,696 compared to the previous year. Foreigners now make up 9% of the region’s total population. However, the actual number is likely even higher, as many EU citizens – especially Slovaks – are not fully registered.
The most significant increase occurred in 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Even without the context of war, however, the number of foreign nationals in the region has been steadily rising, nearly tripling since 2010. Almost 60% of all foreigners live in Brno, which uses its portal data.brno.cz to closely monitor its international community.
Brno attracts foreign residents not only with job opportunities but also with its quality of life. In the 2024 Numbeo global index, it ranked 94th worldwide – three spots above Prague. It also ranked 48th in Europe and 2nd in the CEE region.
South Moravian Region:
Home to 158 Nationalities
The South Moravian Region is becoming increasingly diverse. Today, people from 158 countries live here, from neighboring Slovakia to the USA and the Philippines. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine the largest group is Ukrainians, with 58,961 residents – more than triple what it was in 2010.
The second-largest group is Slovaks, which officially number 17,645, though the actual figure is likely higher, as many are not fully registered. EU citizens make up a quarter of all foreigners in the region. Other statistically significant communities come from Vietnam, Russia, India, Romania, the USA, Turkey, and Bulgaria.
Foreigners in the region can access services from several integration-focused organizations. The Brno Expat Centre has supported more than 13,000 qualified expats in Brno over the past 14 years. Across the region, the Centre for Foreigners of the South Moravian Region offers counseling, interpreting, and integration programmes.