Did you know that in 2025, 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 2025, 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 2025.
- 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.”
Conclusion
So, how many people have PhDs? Around 8 million worldwide in 2025, 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 in 2025 to find affordable ways to achieve your goals.
