Digital Science, Figshare, and Springer Nature have published new results in The State of Open Data 2025: A Decade of Progress and Challenges.
The tenth anniversary edition of the State of Open Data report, published by Digital Science, Figshare, and Springer Nature, shows that open data is integrated into research practice, that awareness of the Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) principles is widely recognized, that artificial intelligence is reshaping research workflows, and that support for openness remains high.
Now in its tenth year, the report is the longest running study examining behaviors and attitudes related to open research. It combines survey responses from more than 4,700 participants across 151 countries with perspectives from researchers, librarians, and policy leaders to provide insight into challenges and opportunities associated with open research and to outline progress and priorities for the next decade.
Key findings include:
• Open research practices are widely supported: Open access is supported by 88.1% of respondents, open data by 80.9%, and open peer review by 75.7%, indicating strong endorsement of openness alongside a need for practical workflows to sustain these practices.
• Progress continues despite persistent barriers: Awareness of FAIR has nearly doubled since 2018, while familiarity with FAIR principles increased from 15.2% in 2018 to 40.6%, yet 69.2% of researchers report receiving too little credit for sharing data.
• Regional and disciplinary variation remains for national mandates: Support for national mandates continues to vary, with Australia declining from 63.2% in 2016 to 27.4% in 2025, Brazil decreasing from 64.7% to 39% over the same period, and India remaining relatively stable at 59.8% in 2016 and 54.7% in 2025.
• Use of artificial intelligence to support practice is increasing: Active use of artificial intelligence for data processing rose from 22.1% in 2024 to 31.9% in 2025, while use for metadata creation increased from 16.1% to 25.1%.
Ten years of collected data indicate that open research has shifted from an aspirational concept to established practice, while also showing that recognition mechanisms and workflow support influence the sustainability of data sharing.
The findings also reflect an industry-wide focus on collaboration in the development of policies, infrastructure, and tools, and indicate that openness is most effective when combined with data quality, clear evidence, and coordinated initiatives that support standards, practical implementation, and measurable outcomes.
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