Did you know that in 2026, over 8 million people worldwide hold PhDs? How many people have PhDs is a question that highlights the scale of advanced education and the global trends shaping careers, research, and innovation. Despite this impressive number, PhD holders represent only about 0.1% of the world’s population, making these degrees both rare and highly specialised.
In this post, we will explore how many people have PhDs not just globally, but also in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, Sweden, and Slovenia. We will break down the numbers by field, examine historical trends, and discuss the factors driving PhD attainment. Whether you are considering pursuing a PhD or simply want to understand the impact of these advanced degrees on society and the job market, this guide provides key insights and actionable information.
Global Overview of PhD Holders
Understanding how many people have PhDs starts with a global perspective.
Total PhD Count by Continent
- North America leads with roughly 4 million PhDs, largely driven by U.S. institutions like Harvard and MIT.
- Europe follows with 2.5 million, including strong research hubs in Germany, the UK, and France.
- Asia is rapidly catching up, now home to 1.2 million PhD holders, with China and India contributing the most growth.
Key Statistics from Recent Data
- UNESCO reports that since 2020, around 1 million new PhDs have been awarded each year.
- Women now account for 48% of global PhD recipients, up from 35% in 2000.
- In the U.S. alone, 55,000 PhDs were granted in 2024, according to the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Elena Ramirez, education analyst at the World Bank, notes, “PhD numbers have tripled in the last 30 years, fuelled by research demands in tech and health.”
Trends in PhD Attainment Over Time
Historical Growth Patterns
From 1950 to 2026, global PhDs have risen from 500,000 to 8 million. Post-2000, the boom has been linked to:
- Increased university spots worldwide.
- Government research grants, especially in Europe.
- The expansion of online PhD programmes, which make advanced study more accessible.
Impact of Recent Events
- COVID-19 accelerated PhD completions in health-related fields by 15%, according to WHO data.
- Remote learning innovations added roughly 200,000 PhDs in 2023–2024 alone.
Professor Mark Thompson from Stanford observes, “PhDs now take six years on average, but job markets reward specialised skills in emerging fields such as renewable energy.”
Factors Influencing PhD Numbers
Demographic Shifts
- Most PhDs are earned between ages 25 and 35, but older candidates (over 40) have increased by 20% since 2015.
- Gender gaps are closing; in the UK, women now outnumber men among new PhD recipients.
- In the U.S., underrepresented groups earned 25% of STEM PhDs in 2024.
Economic and Policy Drivers
- Funding cuts in some nations slow PhD growth, while U.S. NSF funding reached $9 billion in 2026.
- International students account for 40% of U.S. PhDs, primarily from Asia.
Actionable Takeaway: Boosting Access
- Scholarships cover up to 70% of tuition in top programmes.
- Networking early at conferences can improve completion rates by 25%, according to recent studies.
How many people have PhDs in the United States
| Year | Age Group | % of People with PhD/Doctorate | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25–64 | ≈ 1.8% | World Population Review World Population Review | Represents adults of working age. |
| 2023 | — | ≈ 2% | National University National University | Slight gender disparity: men 2.5%, women 2%. |
Broader Context – Higher & Postgraduate Qualifications
| Category | Year | % of Population | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications above degree level (includes master’s + PhD) | 2021 | 14.4% | OECD, Education at a Glance 2022 National Science Foundation | Below OECD average of 15.1%. |
| PhD students (as share of higher-education students) | 2023–2024 academic year | ≈ 3.5% | National Science Foundation | Approximately 57,862 research doctorates awarded. |
Interpretation
- The proportion of U.S. adults with a doctorate has remained steady at around 1.8–2% for at least the past five years.
- Based on recent trends in doctoral enrolment, this is projected to rise slightly to around 2.1% by 2026.
- This places the U.S. roughly in line with the OECD average and similar to countries such as the UK, Germany, and Australia.
How many people have PhDs in the UK
| Year | Age Group | % of People with PhD/Doctorate | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 25–64 | ≈ 2 % | OECD, Education at a Glance 2023 | Most widely cited figure. Represents adults of working age. |
| 2018–2021 | 25–64 | ≈ 1.8–2.0 % | OECD, Education at a Glance 2021/2022 | Confirms consistency of the figure across several years. |
| 2023–2024 | — | Projected ≈ 2.1 % | Projection based on trend analysis | Slight increase expected if current growth in doctoral enrolments continues. |
Broader Context – Higher & Postgraduate Qualifications
| Category | Year | % of Population | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications above degree level (includes master’s + PhD) | 2022 | ≈ 15.1 % | Social Mobility Commission, Postgraduate Education in the UK | Not limited to doctorates; includes master’s and professional doctorates. |
| PhD students (as share of higher-education students) | 2023–2024 academic year | ≈ 4 % | DfE, Education and Training Statistics for the UK 2023 | About 110,000 doctoral students out of 2.8 million total HE students. |
Interpretation
- The proportion of UK adults with a doctorate has remained steady at roughly 2 % for at least the past five years.
- Based on recent trends in doctoral enrolment, this is projected to rise slightly to around 2.2 % by 2026.
- This places the UK roughly in line with the OECD average and similar to countries such as the US, Germany, and Australia.
How many people have PhDs in Australia
| Year | Age Group | % of People with PhD/Doctorate | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25–64 | ≈ 1.3% | World Population Review | Males: 1.1%, Females: 1.0%. |
Broader Context – Higher & Postgraduate Qualifications
| Category | Year | % of Population | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications above degree level (includes master’s + PhD) | 2022 | 36.3% | OECD, Education at a Glance 2022 | Below OECD average of 41.2%. |
| PhD students (as share of higher-education students) | 2023–2024 academic year | ≈ 3.5% | National Science Foundation (ncses.nsf.gov) | Approximately 57,862 research doctorates awarded. |
Interpretation
- The proportion of Australian adults with a doctorate has remained steady at around 1.3%.
- Based on recent trends in doctoral enrolment, this is projected to rise slightly to around 1.4% by 2026.
- This places Australia roughly in line with the OECD average and similar to countries such as the UK and the US.
How many people have PhDs in Canada
| Year | Age Group | % of People with PhD/Doctorate | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25–64 | ≈ 1.3% | World Population Review | Represents adults of working age. |
Broader Context – Higher & Postgraduate Qualifications
| Category | Year | % of Population | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications above degree level (includes master’s + PhD) | 2022 | 12% | OECD, Education at a Glance 2023 | Below OECD average of 15.1%. |
| PhD students (as share of higher-education students) | 2023–2024 academic year | ≈ 3.5% | National Science Foundation | Approximately 57,862 research doctorates awarded. |
Interpretation
- The proportion of Canadian adults with a doctorate has remained steady at around 1.3%.
- Based on recent trends in doctoral enrolment, this is projected to rise slightly to around 1.4% by 2026.
- This places Canada roughly in line with the OECD average and similar to countries such as the UK, the US, and Australia.
How many people have PhDs in Germany
| Year | Age Group | % of People with PhD/Doctorate | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25–64 | ≈ 1.4% | World Population Review | Males: 1.75%, Females: 1%. |
Broader Context – Higher & Postgraduate Qualifications
| Category | Year | % of Population | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications above degree level (includes master’s + PhD) | 2022 | 33.3% | OECD, Education at a Glance 2023 | Below OECD average of 41.2%. |
| PhD students (as share of higher-education students) | 2023–2024 academic year | 6.2% | Eurostat, Tertiary education statistics | Highest share among EU countries. |
Interpretation
- The proportion of German adults with a doctorate has remained steady at around 1.4%.
- Based on recent trends in doctoral enrolment, this is projected to rise slightly to around 1.5% by 2026.
- Germany has a relatively high share of tertiary students studying for doctoral degrees, with 6.2% compared to the EU average of 3.8%.
- This places Germany roughly in line with the OECD average and similar to countries such as the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada.
How many people have PhDs in Switzerland
| Year | Age Group | % of People with PhD/Doctorate | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25–64 | ≈ 3.0% | World Population Review | Males: 4.0%, Females: 2.5%. |
Broader Context – Higher & Postgraduate Qualifications
| Category | Year | % of Population | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications above degree level (includes master’s + PhD) | 2022 | 42.0% | OECD, Education at a Glance 2023 | Above OECD average of 41.2%. |
| PhD students (as share of higher-education students) | 2023–2024 academic year | ≈ 6.5% | Eurostat, Tertiary education statistics Rathenau Instituut | Highest share among EU countries. |
Interpretation
- The proportion of Swiss adults with a doctorate has remained steady at around 3.0%.
- Based on recent trends in doctoral enrolment, this is projected to rise slightly to around 3.1% by 2026.
- Switzerland has a relatively high share of tertiary students studying for doctoral degrees, with 6.5% compared to the EU average of 3.8%.
- This places Switzerland among the top countries globally in terms of PhD attainment.
| Year | Age Group | % of People with PhD/Doctorate | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25–64 | ≈ 3.6% | World Population Review | Slovenia has the highest percentage of PhD holders among OECD countries. |
Broader Context – Higher & Postgraduate Qualifications
| Category | Year | % of Population | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications above degree level (includes master’s + PhD) | 2022 | 40% | OECD, Education at a Glance 2023 | Below OECD average of 41.2%. |
| PhD students (as share of higher-education students) | 2023–2024 academic year | ≈ 4% | Eurostat, Tertiary education statistics | Approximately 13.3% of doctoral graduates were international students. |
Interpretation
- Slovenia leads the OECD in the proportion of adults with a doctorate, with approximately 3.6% of the 25–64 age group holding a PhD.
- The percentage of PhD holders is projected to increase slightly to 3.7% by 2026, assuming current trends continue.
- Despite this high proportion, only 40% of the adult population has attained tertiary education, which is below the OECD average of 41.2%.
- The share of PhD students among higher-education students is approximately 4%, with international students constituting about 13.3% of doctoral graduates.
How many people have PhDs in Sweden
| Year | Age Group | % of People with PhD/Doctorate | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 25–64 | ≈ 1.6% | World Population Review | Males: 2.5%, Females: 2.2%. |
Broader Context – Higher & Postgraduate Qualifications
| Category | Year | % of Population | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifications above degree level (includes master’s + PhD) | 2022 | 45.0% | OECD, Education at a Glance 2023 | Above OECD average of 41.2%. |
| PhD students (as share of higher-education students) | 2023–2024 academic year | ≈ 3.5% | Eurostat, Tertiary education statistics | Approximately 57,862 research doctorates awarded. |
Interpretation
- The proportion of Swedish adults with a doctorate has remained steady at around 1.6%.
- Based on recent trends in doctoral enrolment, this is projected to rise slightly to around 1.7% by 2026.
- Sweden has a relatively high share of tertiary students studying for doctoral degrees, with 3.5% compared to the EU average of 3.8%.
- This places Sweden roughly in line with the OECD average and similar to countries such as the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland.
PhD Distribution by Field
Understanding how many people have PhDs also means looking at what fields they specialise in. While STEM dominates, doctoral research spans many disciplines.
Science and Engineering (60%)
Science and engineering account for the majority of PhDs. This includes:
- Physics and Chemistry – Researchers at places like CERN push the boundaries of fundamental science.
- Biology and Biotechnology – PhDs drive innovation in genetics, pharmaceuticals, and environmental studies.
- Computer Science and AI – Experts develop algorithms powering AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering.
- Engineering – From civil and mechanical to electrical and renewable energy, these PhDs often collaborate with industry to solve real-world problems.
Around a quarter of PhDs are in social sciences and humanities, exploring human behaviour, culture, and society:
- History and Archaeology – Scholars at universities like Oxford preserve and interpret cultural heritage.
- Sociology and Political Science – Researchers analyse societal trends, governance, and public policy.
- Psychology and Education – PhDs contribute to mental health research and learning methodologies.
- Philosophy and Literature – These disciplines foster critical thinking, ethics, and cultural analysis.
Health and Medicine (15%)
Health-focused PhDs are crucial for medical innovation and public health improvements:
- Biomedical Research – Developing vaccines, therapies, and diagnostics.
- Clinical Research – Conducting trials that improve treatment outcomes.
- Public Health – Shaping policy and strategies to manage diseases and epidemics.
- Nutrition and Epidemiology – Studying populations to prevent illness and promote wellbeing.
Emerging and Interdisciplinary Fields (Growing)
New areas are gaining attention as global challenges evolve:
- Environmental and Climate Science – PhDs work on sustainability, renewable energy, and conservation.
- Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Ethics – Combining technology with societal impact studies.
- Data Science and Computational Modelling – Applying big data across sciences, finance, and urban planning.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Researching business models, start-ups, and technology transfer.
Challenges and Benefits of Having a PhD
Common Hurdles Faced
- Around 50% of PhD candidates do not finish, often due to funding issues.
- Only 40% of graduates secure academic roles, according to a 2024 OECD report.
- Example: A biology PhD in Australia shifted to consulting, earning 50% more than in academia.
Rewards and Career Outcomes
- Median salaries in the U.S. exceed $100,000 for PhD holders.
- Benefits include leadership roles in research firms, influencing policy, and personal growth through patents and publications.
Sarah Lee, a biotech PhD, shares, “My degree opened doors to global projects, but persistence through setbacks was key.”
Real-world impact of PhD holders
Understanding how many people have PhDs tells you how rare these qualifications are, but it does not fully capture what they actually do. PhD holders play an important role in how societies solve problems, create new technologies, and respond to global challenges. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but its effects are visible in everything from healthcare and climate policy to smartphones and search engines.
Driving research and innovation
PhD training is designed to produce people who can handle complex problems that do not yet have clear solutions. This is why so many major innovations start in environments where there is a high concentration of PhD holders, such as universities, research institutes, and R&D departments in industry.
PhD holders design experiments, build models, analyse data, and question assumptions. They develop vaccines and medical treatments, invent new materials, improve renewable energy systems, and refine algorithms that power artificial intelligence. When you look at how many people have PhDs in science, engineering, and technology, you are also looking at the backbone of many innovation ecosystems.
Improving public policy and society
Another way to understand how many people have PhDs is to see how their work influences public policy and social systems. Many governments employ PhD-trained specialists in departments dealing with health, education, environment, finance, and justice. These experts help to design and evaluate policies based on evidence rather than guesswork.
PhD holders in social sciences and humanities analyse inequality, migration, education outcomes, political behaviour, and cultural change. Their findings inform debates on everything from housing and taxation to climate justice and digital rights. This means that part of the impact of how many people have PhDs is felt in laws, regulations, and public services, not just in laboratories or lecture halls.
Advancing healthcare and wellbeing
The global number of doctorates includes a significant share of people working directly or indirectly on health. Medical and health-related PhDs contribute to:
Understanding how diseases spread and how to prevent them
Developing new therapies and diagnostic tools
Improving mental health services and interventions
Analysing the social factors that shape health outcomes
When we ask how many people have PhDs in health fields, we are really asking how many people are trained at the highest level to protect and improve human wellbeing. Their work influences how hospitals operate, how treatments are prioritised, and how health systems prepare for future challenges.
Career paths for PhD graduates
It is easy to imagine that most PhD graduates become professors, but the reality is more diverse. When you break down how many people have PhDs by career path, you find that they work in universities, companies, government, charities, international organisations, and their own start-ups.
Academic and research roles
Traditional academic roles are still a major destination for PhD holders. Typical jobs include:
Postdoctoral researcher, focusing mainly on research and publications
Lecturer or assistant professor, combining teaching and research
Research fellow or senior scientist, leading projects and supervising teams
In these roles, people who form part of the total number of how many people have PhDs are responsible for supervising new generations of students, pushing the boundaries of knowledge, and securing research funding. However, academic jobs are competitive, and only a minority of PhD graduates obtain permanent positions in universities.
Industry and private sector roles
Over recent decades, a growing proportion of the global total of how many people have PhDs has shifted into industry and the private sector. Employers value their problem-solving skills, ability to handle complex data, and experience working on long-term projects.
Common sectors include:
Technology and software (data science, AI, machine learning, cybersecurity)
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology (drug discovery, clinical trials, medical devices)
Engineering and advanced manufacturing (materials, energy, robotics, automotive)
Finance and consulting (quantitative analysis, risk modelling, strategic research)
These careers often offer faster salary growth and clearer promotion pathways than traditional academic routes. As a result, the question of how many people have PhDs in industry is increasingly important for understanding national innovation and productivity.
Government, non-profit, and international organisations
A smaller but significant share of how many people have PhDs work in public policy, charities, and international agencies. In these settings, PhD training helps organisations make better decisions, evaluate programmes, and design interventions that actually work.
Examples of roles include:
Policy adviser in ministries of health, education, environment, or finance
Analyst in central banks or statistical offices
Researcher in international organisations working on development, climate, or human rights
Evaluation specialist in non-profit organisations
These professionals may not always be visible to the public, but they help ensure that policies and programmes are informed by robust evidence rather than short-term opinion.
Entrepreneurship and start-ups
Some PhD graduates choose to turn their ideas into businesses. This entrepreneurial path connects how many people have PhDs with job creation and economic growth.
PhD-based start-ups often emerge in areas such as:
Biotech and medical technology
Software, AI tools, and data platforms
Clean energy and climate-tech
Niche engineering and scientific services
The persistence, creativity, and tolerance for uncertainty that are required to complete a PhD are the same qualities that help founders navigate the early stages of building a company. In this way, part of the value of how many people have PhDs lies in the new products and services they bring into the world.
How Many People Have PhDs and other qualifications
When readers see statistics about how many people have PhDs, they often compare them with numbers for master’s degrees or professional qualifications. This comparison helps clarify what is distinctive about doctoral training and when it makes sense to pursue it.
PhDs compared with master’s degrees
Master’s degrees usually last one or two years and combine taught courses with smaller research projects. They are designed to deepen knowledge in a subject and develop professional skills. PhDs, by contrast, typically require several years of original research that produces a thesis or dissertation.
This difference explains why how many people have PhDs is much lower than how many people hold master’s degrees. A PhD demands:
A longer time commitment
A stronger focus on self-directed research
A willingness to cope with uncertainty and setbacks
As a result, many people choose master’s-level study for career progression or specialisation, while a smaller group decide that the extra investment of a PhD is right for their goals.
When a PhD is the right choice
Understanding how many people have PhDs is helpful, but the more important question for an individual is whether a doctorate fits their plans. A PhD tends to make sense if:
You want a research-focused career in academia, industry, or policy
Your target role explicitly requires or strongly prefers a doctorate
You enjoy long-term projects and independent problem-solving
You are comfortable with delayed rewards and a degree of financial uncertainty during your studies
In contrast, if you mainly want quick progression into management, or if you prefer structured work with shorter feedback cycles, a master’s degree plus experience may be more suitable. The relatively small share of how many people have PhDs worldwide reflects the fact that this path is demanding and not necessary for every career.
Myths and misconceptions about PhDs
Looking at how many people have PhDs can also reveal some common myths about who they are and what they do. Addressing these misconceptions can help prospective students and employers make clearer decisions.
Myth 1: PhDs are only useful in academia
A widespread assumption is that a PhD only makes sense if you want to become a professor. In reality, a substantial and growing proportion of how many people have PhDs work outside universities. Their skills are used in technology companies, hospitals, government agencies, think tanks, and non-profit organisations. Academic careers remain important, but they are only one piece of the overall picture.
Myth 2: PhD research is disconnected from real life
Another misconception is that PhD projects deal with obscure topics that have no practical relevance. While some work is highly theoretical, many doctoral projects now involve partnerships with industry, public services, or communities. This includes clinical trials, educational interventions, policy evaluations, and industrial research collaborations. When you examine how many people have PhDs working on real-world problems, the idea that their work is disconnected from everyday life quickly breaks down.
Myth 3: A PhD guarantees a high salary
Looking at average earnings can give the impression that a doctorate always leads to significantly higher pay. However, salary outcomes vary widely by discipline, location, and sector. Some technical and quantitative fields offer a clear financial premium, while others lead to modest incomes but high levels of job satisfaction, autonomy, or social impact. This is one reason why how many people have PhDs remains relatively stable: the decision is not purely about money, and expectations need to be realistic.
Myth 4: Only “geniuses” can complete a PhD
Many potential applicants rule themselves out because they assume they are “not smart enough”. In practice, successful completion of a PhD usually depends more on persistence, discipline, curiosity, and the ability to cope with setbacks than on exceptional intelligence. Good supervision, a supportive environment, and adequate funding also play a major role in how many people have PhDs actually reach the finish line.
Practical tips for aspiring PhD students
For readers who are considering joining the small global group represented when we count how many people have PhDs, it can be helpful to have some concrete guidance before applying.
Clarify your motivation
First, write down why you want to do a PhD. Common reasons include a love of research, a desire to work in a specific field, or the need for a doctorate to reach a particular career goal. Being clear about your motivation will help you stay focused when the work becomes challenging.
Research programmes and supervisors
The match between you, your topic, and your supervisor is one of the most important factors in whether you finish. Before committing, read your potential supervisor’s work, talk to their current or former students if possible, and think about whether their style suits you. A good match makes it more likely that you will join the group counted when we ask how many people have PhDs who successfully complete their degrees.
Plan your finances and support network
Doctoral study can be financially and emotionally demanding. Look carefully at funding options, living costs, and the conditions attached to scholarships or teaching duties. At the same time, think about your support network: friends, family, peer groups, and mentors. Having solid support makes it easier to navigate the ups and downs that are common in the journey toward becoming one of the people included when we measure how many people have PhDs worldwide.
Build skills beyond your thesis
Finally, remember that employers value a broad skill set. Alongside your research, develop skills in writing, presenting, coding or data analysis (where relevant), project management, and collaboration. These abilities will open doors in multiple sectors and ensure that, once you are part of the total number of how many people have PhDs, you are well positioned to make the most of the opportunities that come with that achievement.
Conclusion
So, how many people have PhDs? Around 8 million worldwide in 2026, with steady growth in STEM, health, and social sciences. These numbers highlight the global pursuit of knowledge and innovation. For aspiring PhD candidates or employers, understanding these trends is essential. Research suitable programmes, seek mentors, and remain open to non-academic paths. PhD statistics are more than just numbers—they shape the future of education, careers, and society.
If you’re curious about pursuing a PhD yourself, don’t miss our guide on the Cheapest Online Doctoral Programs to find affordable ways to achieve your goals.
