percentage of phd holders

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PhD Percentage by Country / Number of Doctorate Degrees per Country 2024

1. slovenia.

Slovenia is the highest-ranking country in the number of Ph.D. degrees earned by adults between the ages of 25 and 64. 5% of the entire population in Slovenia has a Ph.D. The distribution between Ph.D. adults in Slovenia finds more female doctorates than males. About 4.5% of adult females have a Ph.D., compared to about 3% of adult males in Slovenia.

2. Switzerland

Switzerland has the second-highest rate of Ph.Ds. globally, with nearly 3% of the adult population holding this advanced degree. In Switzerland, men are more likely to hold a Ph.D., representing 4% of the total doctorate population, compared to about 2.5% for female doctorates.

3. Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, 2% of the total population holds a Ph.D. There are several countries tied for 2% of the population with a Ph.D., and almost all of the highly educated countries are in Europe . In Luxembourg, 2.5% of Ph.D. holders are male, compared to 2% female.

4. United States

The United States is tied with European countries when it comes to being a highly educated population. About 2% of the U.S. population holds a Ph.D. Men are more likely than women to have a Ph.D. in the United States, with 2.5% of the Ph.D. candidates male and about 2% female.

Like other countries on our list, Sweden is tied with 2% of the total population holding a doctorate degree. In this country, males and females are just about equal when it comes to this advanced degree. Around 2.5% of males have a Ph.D., while 2.2% of females hold a Ph.D. in Sweden.

6. The United Kingdom

Rounding out our list of highly educated countries with the most Ph.Ds., the United Kingdom has about 2% of the population holding a Ph.D. In the United Kingdom, males and females are pretty close to equal in higher education. Males account for more Ph.D. degrees, with about 2.5%, while females are close behind with nearly 2.3% Ph.Ds.

Another European country on our list of the most Ph.Ds., Germany, has about 2% of its population with a Ph.D. This country sees a more significant discrepancy between males and females when it comes to higher education. About 1.75% of males account for Ph.Ds. awarded, while only about 1% of females have their Ph.D. in Germany.

8. Australia

Breaking up the stranglehold at the top of our list between Europe and the United States, Australia makes the list with the 8th most Ph.D. citizens per capita. In Australia, 2% of the population holds a doctorate degree. Males and females are almost identical regarding Ph.Ds., with males just slightly earning a Ph.D. more frequently. Males account for 1.1% of Ph.Ds. in the country, while females account for 1.0% of the Ph.Ds. awarded in Australia.

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What country has the highest percentage of PhDs?

Frequently asked questions.

• What are the characteristics and outcomes of doctoral graduates? - OECD
• These countries have the most doctoral graduates - World Economic Forum
• List of countries by number of doctorates awarded - Wiki

How many people have a PhD? Data from OECD countries

When working in academia, it is easy to forget how rare it is to have a PhD. However, data show that only a very small percentage of people hold a PhD degree. Learn more about the percentages of PhD holders, in addition to the numbers of PhD graduates and new PhD students in selected OECD countries.

Percentages of doctoral degree holders

Numbers of phd graduates, data on new phd students.

While it is widely known that only a small percentage of people are PhD holders, actual data is not always easy to come by. The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is one of the few organizations that systematically surveys the state of education in its thirty-eight member countries.

According to the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2022 report, 1.3% of adults (25-64 year-olds) held a PhD in 2021 across the thirty-eight OECD countries.

There are of course country-specific differences. In Denmark and Germany, for instance, roughly 1% of the total population held a PhD in 2021. In the US and the UK, approximately 2% of the total population held a PhD in 2021. And in Slovenia, it was 5% of the population in 2021!

The following chart provides an overview of percentages of adults, defined as those between 25 and 64 years of age, who held a doctoral degree in 2021 in selected OECD countries:

In the Education at a Glance 2022 report, the percentages of people who obtained a doctoral degree in 2021 are rounded up. In reality, more subtle differences exist between countries. More detailed data are available on the percentage of adults (25-64 year-olds) with a doctoral degree in 2017. While this data is older, it paints a more varied picture of the differences between countries:

Combined, these insights make one thing very clear: Graduating with a doctoral degree is something special! Once you accomplish the goal of getting a PhD, you will belong to a small percentage of people who obtained the highest academic degree.

Every year, new people graduate with a PhD degree. Unfortunately, the OECD only records data from PhD graduates who are younger than 35 years. Personally, I find this choice surprising as doing a PhD later in life has many advantages . I would assume that there is a high number of PhD graduates every year who are older than 35.

Even though the available data does not provide a full picture of the situation, it generates some interesting insights. For instance, the average number of PhD graduates (<35 years of age) across OECD countries decreased since 2015:

The actual numbers of PhD graduates differ quite considerably when exploring individual countries. The following graph shows the total number of PhD graduates of eight OECD countries, as well as the division between female and male graduates in 2020:

In the UK, for instance, 2163 female individuals graduated with a PhD degree in 2020, compared to 2335 male individuals. Canada, on the other hand, gained 838 female and 1003 male new PhD holders in 2020. Unfortunately, data on gender distributions of PhD graduates was not available for the US.

The fields in which people obtain their PhD degree provides another interesting perspective. The OECD differentiates between academic fields, several of which can be found in the first column of the following table. This table showcases the number of PhD graduates in 2020 by academic field in selected countries:

In the seven selected OECD countries, the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics produced by far the highest number of PhD graduates in 2020.

Every year, new individuals enroll in doctoral degree studies. According to the OECD’s Education at a Glance 2022 report, the total number of new PhD students across the OECD decreased by 4% between 2013 and 2020. However, the report also stipulates that this average decrease is heavily influenced by a large drop in new PhD students in Poland (-77%) and in the Slovak Republic (-26%).

The following table shows the number of new PhD students in selected countries according to academic fields:

The average percentage of female entrants to doctoral programmes across all OECD countries is 49% (Source: Education at a Glance 2022 ). The following graph shows the share of new female entrants to doctoral programmes in 2020 in several countries:

Across OECD countries, the median age of people starting with a doctoral degree is 29 years (Source: Education at a Glance 2022 ).

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U.S. states that awarded the most doctorates 2021

Ranking of u.s. states in 2021, by the number of doctorate recipients.

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Postgraduation trends

A graduate’s first position after earning the doctoral degree may reflect broad economic conditions and can shape later career opportunities, earnings, and choices. Over the longer term, the early career patterns of doctorate recipients may influence the decisions of future students considering careers as scientists, engineers, scholars, and researchers.

At any given time, the job market for new doctorate recipients will be better in some fields of study than in others. Though all fields tend to follow patterns that generally reflect overall trends in economic conditions, definite commitments at graduation are likely to be influenced by many factors.

In life sciences, physical sciences and earth sciences, and engineering, the proportions of doctorate recipients reporting definite commitments, including postdoctoral positions (postdocs), have declined since 2000. These fields hit low points from about 2014 to 2016, depending on the field, but have since rebounded. In 2019, the proportion of doctorate recipients in mathematics and computer sciences and in psychology and social sciences who had definite commitments (76% and 74%, respectively) reached their highest points in the past 20 years ( figure 20 ). Non-S&E fields similarly have recovered from lows in 2014–16 ( figure 21 ).

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Definite commitments among doctorate recipients, by S&E broad field of study: 2000–19

S&E = science and engineering.

Shaded areas in the graphic reflect recessions that occurred between March 2001 and November 2001 and between December 2007 and June 2009 ( http://www.nber.org/cycles/cyclesmain.html) . Definite commitment refers to a doctorate recipient who is either returning to predoctoral employment or has signed a contract (or otherwise made a definite commitment) for employment, including postdoctoral study, in the coming year. Percentages are based on the number of doctorate recipients who responded to the postgraduation status item.

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2019. Related detailed table 42 and table 43 .

Definite commitments among doctorate recipients, by non-S&E broad field of study: 2000–19

First postgraduate position, academic employment.

In 2019, 41% of all doctorate recipients with definite employment commitments (excluding postdoc positions) in the United States reported that their principal job would be in academe.

The highest rates of academic employment commitments were reported by doctorate recipients in humanities and arts and in other non-S&E fields (72% and 76% respectively); the lowest rates were in engineering (12%) and in physical sciences and earth sciences (17%). In the past 20 years, the rate of academic employment commitments declined in all fields except for education, where it increased, and other non-S&E, where it remained at the same level ( figure 22 ).

Definite employment commitments in academe in the United States, by broad field of study: 2000 and 2019

Definite employment commitment refers to a doctorate recipient who is either returning to predoctoral employment or has signed a contract (or otherwise made a definite commitment) for employment other than a postdoctoral position in the coming year. Percentages are based on the number of doctorate recipients who reported definite commitments (including those missing employer type) and plans to stay in the United States.

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2019. Related detailed table 44 , table 51 , and table 52 .

Postdoc positions

Historically, postdoc study positions have been a customary part of the early career paths of doctorate recipients in life sciences and in physical sciences and earth sciences, making up over half of definite commitments. Since 2000, postdocs also have become more prevalent in mathematics and computer sciences, psychology and social sciences, engineering, and non-S&E fields, though their rates in these fields are not as high.

In the past 10 years, the overall proportion of S&E doctorate recipients taking postdoc positions in the United States immediately after graduation declined from 55% to 46%. The proportions of doctorate recipients taking postdoc positions in life sciences, physical sciences and earth sciences, mathematics and computer sciences, and engineering declined during this period, while the proportion in psychology and social sciences and in non-S&E fields increased ( figure 23 ).

U.S. postdoctorate rate for doctorate recipients, by broad field of study: Selected years, 2000–19

Percentages are based on the number of doctorate recipients who reported definite commitments in the coming year, who reported whether their commitment was for postdoctoral study or other employment, and who plan to live in the United States.

Median salaries

In 2019, doctorate recipients who had definite commitments for a postdoc or other employed position in the United States in the coming year reported basic annual salaries that varied by their field of study and the type of position to which they committed.

In every field except humanities and arts, median expected salaries for doctorate recipients committing to jobs in industry were higher than those in postdocs and academe; in humanities and arts, salaries were similar regardless of sector. The median salaries for postdocs in all broad fields were relatively similar, ranging from $50,000 to $55,000, except for postdocs in mathematics and computer sciences, who had a median salary of $60,000. Doctorate recipients in engineering and those in other non-S&E fields, such as business, reported the highest median academic salaries ($83,000 and $95,000, respectively). Those in mathematics and computer sciences, in engineering, and in other non-S&E fields reported the highest median salaries in industry positions ($140,000, $110,000, and $117,000, respectively) ( figure 24 ).

Median expected basic annual salary of doctorate recipients with definite commitments in the United States, by position type and broad field of study: 2019

Definite commitment refers to a doctorate recipient who is either returning to predoctoral employment or has signed a contract (or otherwise made a definite commitment) for employment, including postdoctoral study, in the coming year and plans to stay in the United States. Industry includes all nonacademic sectors, including self-employment, private for-profit and private nonprofit, and government.

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2019. Related detailed table 48 and table 49 .

Temporary visa holders and postgraduation

In 2019, 79% of temporary visa holder doctorate recipients in S&E fields with definite commitments reported that the location of their postdoc or other employment position was in the United States, up from 74% in 2000. Expected stay rates were highest in fields where temporary visa holders were more heavily represented: mathematics and computer sciences, engineering, life sciences, and physical sciences and earth sciences ( figure 25 ).

Temporary visa holder doctorate recipients with definite commitments in the United States, by broad field of study: Selected years, 2000–19

Definite commitment refers to a doctorate recipient who is either returning to predoctoral employment or has signed a contract (or otherwise made a definite commitment) for employment, including postdoctoral study, in the coming year. Percentages are based on the number of temporary visa holders who reported definite commitments and plans to stay in the United States.

National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Earned Doctorates, 2019. Related detailed table 51 through table 53 .

These countries have the most doctoral graduates

Cleverer by degrees ... here's where most doctoral scholars are from Image:  REUTERS/Brian Snyder

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Stay up to date:.

Education is key to economic growth .

And tertiary education in particular, is at the heart of the innovation that we see around us. New discoveries such as MP3 and GPS technology would never have happened were it not for PhD research.

Countries are investing in their higher education systems, and more people than ever before are completing doctoral degrees. But which country has the most doctoral scholars?

The US beats the rest hands down

According to an OECD report , the US has at least twice as many PhD graduates as Germany, its nearest rival.

In 2014, 67,449 people graduated with a PhD in the US, compared with 28,147 in Germany. Next in line is the United Kingdom, which just pips India into third place with 25,020 PhD graduates. India had 24,300.

Although fifth on the list, Japan only has a quarter of the PhD graduates that the US has, with 16,039.

In sixth and seventh place, France and South Korea have 13,729 and 12,931 respectively. Spain and Italy, in eighth and ninth, have a similar number, 10,889 and 10,678 respectively.

Australia is in 10th place with 8,400. It’s worth bearing in mind that if we looked at the numbers per head of the population, the top of table might look rather different.

There are more new doctorates worldwide

OECD figures also show that the number of doctoral graduates has increased worldwide in the last two decades. The majority of graduates are from OECD countries.

Large emerging economies have expanded their higher education training capacities, says the report, as shown by India’s high position with 24,300 doctoral graduates.

Certain scientific fields are more popular among PhD scholars. About 40% of new doctorates awarded in the OECD area are in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and this percentage increases to 58% of all new graduates if doctorates in health are included. Doctoral programmes are particularly oriented towards natural sciences and engineering in France (59%) Canada (55%) and China (55%), according to the report.

Among other trends noted in the report were the increasing digitalization and internationalization of research, ushering in an era of a global knowledge economy.

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Who earns a U.S. doctorate?

• Race and ethnicity
• Overall trends
• Citizenship: Overview
• Citizenship: Foreign origins
• Sex: Citizenship
• Sex: Field of study

Participation in doctoral education by underrepresented minorities who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents is increasing, as evidenced by a 31% increase in the number of doctorates awarded to blacks or African Americans over the past 10 years and a 71% increase in the number of Hispanic or Latino doctorate recipients. Owing to these growth rates, the proportion of doctorates earned by blacks or African Americans has risen from 6.2% in 2005 to 6.5% in 2015, and the proportion awarded to Hispanics or Latinos has grown from 5.1% to 7.0%. The number of American Indian or Alaska Native doctorate recipients increased from 2014 to 2015 (figure F) .

Doctorates earned by underrepresented minority U.S. citizens and permanent residents: 2005–15

NOTES: Excludes U.S. citizen and permanent resident respondents who did not report ethnicity or race. Hispanic may be any race.

• SOURCE: Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities 2015. Related detailed data: tables 19, 22, 23, 24.

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