Doctorate Degree Completion Rate by Country (2026)

Doctorate degree completion rate, commonly referred to as PhD completion rate or research doctorate rate, measures the percentage of the population who have successfully completed research doctorate education (ISCED 8), including PhD degrees, research-based doctorates, and other advanced research qualifications. PhD holders and doctorate degree holders represent the highest level of educational attainment. In countries where research doctorate pathways are integrated into different systems, individuals with equivalent highest educational attainment are included to ensure international comparability. This indicator captures individuals who completed research doctorate education requiring substantial original research, advanced theoretical knowledge, and significant contribution to knowledge in their field.

Understanding PhD and Research Doctorate Education

PhD degree and research doctorate completion represents the highest level of formal education, encompassing research-based PhD degrees, professional research doctorates, and specialized advanced research qualifications. PhD holders and doctorate degree holders typically require 3-7+ years of original research and advanced study beyond master's degree, emphasizing original contribution to knowledge, advanced research methodology, and specialized expertise in specific research fields. Unlike master's degrees, PhD and research doctorate education emphasizes original research contribution, independent research capability, and advancement of knowledge in specific disciplines. Graduates with PhD degrees and research doctorates typically access elite research careers in academia, advanced research institutions, specialized research industries, and senior leadership positions requiring research expertise, commanding substantially higher salaries and greater career advancement opportunities than those with master's degrees alone.

Doctorate Degree Completion Rate by Country (2026)

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#	Country	2026 Estimate (%)
1	Luxembourg LU	3.6%
2	Cook Islands CK	3.5%
3	Türkiye TR	3.5%
4	Switzerland CH	3.4%
5	Lebanon LB	3.1%
6	Sweden SE	2.6%
7	United States US	2.4%
8	United Kingdom GB	2.3%
9	Germany DE	2.2%
10	Australia AU	2%
11	Brunei BN	1.9%
12	Norway NO	1.9%
13	Finland FI	1.8%
14	Ireland IE	1.8%
15	Puerto Rico PR	1.8%
16	Russia RU	1.8%
17	New Zealand NZ	1.7%
18	Canada CA	1.6%
19	Israel IL	1.6%
20	Slovenia SI	1.5%
21	Tunisia TN	1.5%
22	Denmark DK	1.4%
23	Ivory Coast CI	1.4%
24	Belgium BE	1.3%
25	Netherlands NL	1.3%
26	France FR	1.2%
27	Iceland IS	1.2%
28	Jordan JO	1.2%
29	Cyprus CY	1.1%
30	Armenia AM	1%
31	Belarus BY	1%
32	Burkina Faso BF	1%
33	Croatia HR	1%
34	Latvia LV	1%
35	Nigeria NG	1%
36	Qatar QA	1%
37	South Korea KR	1%
38	Austria AT	0.9%
39	Mexico MX	0.9%
40	Palau PW	0.9%
41	Spain ES	0.9%
42	Andorra AD	0.8%
43	Bahrain BH	0.8%
44	Costa Rica CR	0.8%
45	Czech Republic CZ	0.8%
46	Malta MT	0.8%
47	Myanmar MM	0.8%
48	Portugal PT	0.8%
49	Saudi Arabia SA	0.8%
50	Azerbaijan AZ	0.7%
51	Belize BZ	0.7%
52	China CN	0.7%
53	Greece GR	0.7%
54	Guatemala GT	0.7%
55	Kiribati KI	0.7%
56	Malawi MW	0.7%
57	Marshall Islands MH	0.7%
58	Mozambique MZ	0.7%
59	Serbia RS	0.7%
60	Slovakia SK	0.7%
61	United Arab Emirates AE	0.7%
62	Vanuatu VU	0.7%
63	Botswana BW	0.6%
64	Ecuador EC	0.6%
65	Iraq IQ	0.6%
66	Lithuania LT	0.6%
67	Mauritius MU	0.6%
68	North Macedonia MK	0.6%
69	Timor-Leste TL	0.6%
70	Estonia EE	0.5%
71	Ethiopia ET	0.5%
72	Georgia GE	0.5%
73	Hungary HU	0.5%
74	Italy IT	0.5%
75	Poland PL	0.5%
76	Albania AL	0.4%
77	India IN	0.4%
78	Iran IR	0.4%
79	Namibia NA	0.4%
80	Oman OM	0.4%
81	Turkmenistan TM	0.4%
82	Bulgaria BG	0.3%
83	Moldova MD	0.3%
84	Mongolia MN	0.3%
85	Paraguay PY	0.3%
86	Philippines PH	0.3%
87	Bosnia and Herzegovina BA	0.2%
88	Chile CL	0.2%
89	Colombia CO	0.2%
90	Mali ML	0.2%
91	Palestine PS	0.2%
92	Panama PA	0.2%
93	Romania RO	0.2%
94	South Africa ZA	0.2%
95	Thailand TH	0.2%
96	Bangladesh BD	0.1%
97	Bolivia BO	0.1%
98	Ghana GH	0.1%
99	Indonesia ID	0.1%
100	Malaysia MY	0.1%
101	Montenegro ME	0.1%
102	Pakistan PK	0.1%
103	Rwanda RW	0.1%
104	Senegal SN	0.1%
105	Vietnam VN	0.1%
106	Zimbabwe ZW	0.1%

Global Leaders in PhD and Research Doctorate Education

Developed economies with strong research universities achieve the highest PhD and doctorate degree completion rates, with Switzerland leading at 3.3%, followed by the United States (2.3%), and Germany (1.9%). These countries benefit from well-established research universities, substantial investment in doctoral research programs, and cultural emphasis on PhD and research doctorate education for research and academic careers. Nordic and Western European countries demonstrate exceptional research doctorate achievement, with Sweden (1.9%), Ireland (1.5%), and France (1.1%) showing strong research doctorate completion. These countries have developed comprehensive research university systems with multiple pathways to research doctorates and strong employer recognition of research credentials. English-speaking developed nations show strong doctorate degree attainment, with Australia (1.8%), Canada (1.1%), and the United Kingdom (1.3%) reflecting well-developed research university systems with extensive doctoral research program networks and strong international recognition of research degrees. These countries benefit from substantial research university investment and cultural emphasis on research doctorate education.

Regional Patterns in PhD and Research Doctorate Completion

European Union members demonstrate varied PhD and doctorate degree achievement, with Nordic and Western European countries leading while Central and Eastern European countries show moderate completion rates. The variation reflects differences in research university development, economic resources for doctoral research investment, and historical research traditions. East Asian developed economies show lower doctorate degree attainment, with South Korea (1.0%) and Japan (0.7%) reflecting developing research university expansion and increasing doctoral research program participation. These countries are developing comprehensive research university systems with growing emphasis on research doctorate education for innovation and research sectors. Latin American countries show lower doctorate degree completion, with Mexico (0.3%), Brazil (0.2%), and Colombia (0.2%) demonstrating emerging research university development. These countries are investing in doctoral research program expansion to build research capacity and develop advanced research expertise for knowledge-intensive sectors.

Economic Development and PhD Degree Completion

Economic development level strongly correlates with PhD and doctorate degree completion rates, as advanced economies require highly educated research workforces for scientific advancement, technological innovation, and specialized research services. Countries with knowledge-intensive economies and strong research sectors typically invest more heavily in doctoral research education to develop research expertise and maintain competitive advantages in global research and innovation. Research and innovation capacity depends substantially on doctorate degree and research completion. Countries with high research doctorate attainment typically develop stronger research sectors, more innovative industries, and greater capacity for scientific discovery and technological advancement. The educated research workforce becomes essential for economic competitiveness and research-driven innovation. Labor market structure significantly influences doctorate degree participation. Countries where research doctorates lead to well-paid, respected research and academic employment achieve higher completion rates, while economies with limited opportunities for doctorate holders struggle to attract students to doctoral research education. The presence of strong research employment opportunities drives demand for advanced research education.

PhD and Research Career Development

PhD degree completion enables access to elite research careers, academic positions, and specialized research roles requiring advanced research expertise. Fields such as scientific research, academic medicine, advanced engineering research, and specialized research consulting require PhD and research doctorate credentials, creating strong employment incentives for PhD completion in developed economies. Research doctorate completion represents the highest level of research capability and academic qualification. Countries with high rates of research doctorate completion typically develop stronger research sectors, more innovative industries, and greater capacity for scientific leadership and research advancement. These advanced research qualifications enable careers in research institutions, universities, and specialized research-intensive industries. Academic and research employment opportunities often require research doctorates or equivalent qualifications. Countries with strong research sectors and research universities achieve higher completion rates as researchers and academics pursue education necessary for research careers and academic advancement.

2026 Projections and PhD Education Expansion

The projections reflect gradual global improvement in PhD and doctorate degree completion, with most regions showing modest gains as countries recognize the importance of research expertise for innovation and scientific advancement. The largest projected increases occur in middle-income countries where research university expansion creates pathways to PhD and research careers. Demographic changes influence research doctorate education participation patterns, with aging populations in developed countries creating demand for educated researchers in healthcare research, environmental science, and technology research sectors. Younger populations in developing countries increasingly pursue research doctorates as economic development creates research employment opportunities. Research infrastructure development and innovation economy growth create new opportunities for doctorate degree expansion, particularly in countries developing research sectors, advanced technology research industries, or scientific research capabilities. However, this requires substantial investment in research university infrastructure, doctoral research program development, and research funding to ensure quality research doctorate education.

Doctorate Degree Completion Rate by Country (2026)

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#	Country	2019 (%)	2020 (%)	2021 (%)	2022 (%)	2023 (%)	2024 (%)	2026 Estimate (%)
1	Luxembourg	1.78%	2.1%	2.33%	2.92%	2.84%	-	3.6%
2	Cook Islands	21.83%	-	-	-	-	-	3.5%
3	Türkiye	0.42%	-	2.31%	2.52%	2.74%	-	3.5%
4	Switzerland	2.96%	2.88%	2.95%	3.15%	3.25%	3.31%	3.4%
5	Lebanon	2.41%	-	-	-	-	-	3.1%
6	Sweden	1.29%	1.72%	1.81%	1.85%	-	-	2.6%
7	United States	2.02%	2.09%	2.12%	2.14%	2.2%	2.3%	2.4%
8	United Kingdom	-	1.08%	1.28%	-	-	-	2.3%
9	Germany	1.39%	1.51%	1.74%	1.8%	1.86%	-	2.2%
10	Australia	1.33%	1.58%	1.59%	1.85%	1.69%	1.82%	2%
11	Brunei	0.51%	1.61%	1.41%	0.63%	1.3%	-	1.9%
12	Norway	1.09%	-	1.29%	1.33%	1.53%	-	1.9%
13	Finland	1.23%	1.37%	1.28%	1.39%	1.58%	-	1.8%
14	Ireland	1.25%	1.24%	1.27%	1.56%	1.54%	-	1.8%
15	Puerto Rico	-	1.18%	-	-	-	-	1.8%
16	Russia	-	-	1.27%	-	-	-	1.8%
17	New Zealand	-	1.12%	-	-	-	-	1.7%
18	Canada	-	-	1.07%	-	-	-	1.6%
19	Israel	1.56%	1.41%	1.38%	1.46%	1.58%	-	1.6%
20	Slovenia	3.58%	4.14%	3.04%	3.14%	2.41%	-	1.5%
21	Tunisia	0.79%	-	-	-	-	-	1.5%
22	Denmark	1.04%	1.13%	1.08%	1.14%	1.25%	-	1.4%
23	Ivory Coast	-	-	0.85%	-	-	-	1.4%
24	Belgium	0.6%	0.58%	0.83%	0.96%	0.98%	-	1.3%
25	Netherlands	0.73%	0.71%	0.99%	1.01%	1.07%	-	1.3%
26	France	0.85%	0.89%	0.93%	0.94%	1.07%	-	1.2%
27	Iceland	1.39%	1.42%	1.35%	1.28%	1.28%	-	1.2%
28	Jordan	0.54%	0.72%	0.69%	0.61%	0.94%	-	1.2%
29	Cyprus	0.74%	1.05%	1.07%	1.02%	0.93%	-	1.1%
30	Armenia	0.85%	0.73%	0.91%	1.15%	0.94%	-	1%
31	Belarus	0.3%	-	-	-	-	-	1%
32	Burkina Faso	0.28%	-	-	-	-	-	1%
33	Croatia	0.59%	0.55%	0.73%	0.72%	0.85%	-	1%
34	Latvia	-	-	-	0.6%	0.69%	-	1%
35	Nigeria	0.09%	-	-	0.48%	0.6%	-	1%
36	Qatar	-	-	-	0.59%	-	-	1%
37	South Korea	0.83%	0.8%	0.79%	0.8%	0.91%	0.97%	1%
38	Austria	1.02%	1%	0.97%	-	-	-	0.9%
39	Mexico	-	0.31%	-	-	-	-	0.9%
40	Palau	-	0.28%	-	-	-	-	0.9%
41	Spain	0.68%	0.88%	0.93%	0.76%	0.83%	-	0.9%
42	Andorra	-	-	-	0.45%	-	-	0.8%
43	Bahrain	-	0.26%	-	0.6%	0.61%	0.63%	0.8%
44	Costa Rica	-	0.22%	-	-	-	-	0.8%
45	Czech Republic	0.68%	0.76%	0.82%	0.63%	0.74%	-	0.8%
46	Malta	0.65%	0.71%	0.84%	0.71%	-	-	0.8%
47	Myanmar	0.05%	-	-	-	-	-	0.8%
48	Portugal	0.72%	0.76%	0.67%	0.53%	0.64%	0.76%	0.8%
49	Saudi Arabia	0.6%	1.15%	1.03%	1%	0.9%	0.73%	0.8%
50	Azerbaijan	-	-	-	-	0.36%	-	0.7%
51	Belize	-	-	-	0.28%	-	-	0.7%
52	China	-	0.12%	-	-	-	-	0.7%
53	Greece	0.72%	0.72%	0.69%	0.8%	0.73%	0.73%	0.7%
54	Guatemala	0.01%	-	-	-	-	-	0.7%
55	Kiribati	-	0.08%	-	-	-	-	0.7%
56	Malawi	-	0.1%	-	-	-	-	0.7%
57	Marshall Islands	-	-	0.19%	-	-	-	0.7%
58	Mozambique	-	0.05%	-	-	-	-	0.7%
59	Serbia	0.26%	0.45%	0.5%	0.59%	0.51%	0.58%	0.7%
60	Slovakia	0.84%	0.71%	0.85%	0.95%	0.75%	-	0.7%
61	United Arab Emirates	0.79%	-	0.88%	0.83%	1%	0.73%	0.7%
62	Vanuatu	-	0.06%	-	-	-	-	0.7%
63	Botswana	0.26%	-	-	0.39%	-	-	0.6%
64	Ecuador	-	-	-	0.24%	-	-	0.6%
65	Iraq	-	-	0.14%	-	-	-	0.6%
66	Lithuania	0.6%	0.85%	0.74%	0.72%	0.62%	-	0.6%
67	Mauritius	-	-	-	-	0.3%	-	0.6%
68	North Macedonia	0.19%	0.25%	0.28%	0.35%	-	-	0.6%
69	Timor-Leste	-	-	-	0.19%	-	-	0.6%
70	Estonia	-	0.93%	0.71%	0.82%	0.72%	-	0.5%
71	Ethiopia	-	-	0.04%	-	-	-	0.5%
72	Georgia	0.51%	0.44%	0.35%	0.4%	0.54%	0.52%	0.5%
73	Hungary	0.64%	0.69%	0.54%	0.48%	0.53%	-	0.5%
74	Italy	0.39%	0.4%	0.42%	0.41%	0.45%	-	0.5%
75	Poland	0.68%	0.65%	-	-	-	-	0.5%
76	Albania	0.23%	0.22%	0.31%	0.24%	0.33%	-	0.4%
77	India	-	-	-	-	0.08%	-	0.4%
78	Iran	0.29%	0.27%	0.28%	0.31%	0.34%	-	0.4%
79	Namibia	-	-	-	-	0.13%	-	0.4%
80	Oman	-	0.29%	-	0.32%	-	-	0.4%
81	Turkmenistan	-	-	-	0.02%	-	-	0.4%
82	Bulgaria	0.3%	0.28%	0.32%	0.28%	0.32%	-	0.3%
83	Moldova	0.17%	0.14%	0.15%	0.12%	0.18%	0.24%	0.3%
84	Mongolia	0.21%	0.2%	0.2%	0.23%	0.25%	-	0.3%
85	Paraguay	0.06%	0.09%	-	-	-	-	0.3%
86	Philippines	0.11%	0.17%	0.16%	0.17%	-	-	0.3%
87	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.23%	0.18%	0.2%	0.21%	0.21%	-	0.2%
88	Chile	0.27%	0.3%	0.24%	0.22%	0.22%	0.23%	0.2%
89	Colombia	-	-	-	0.14%	0.15%	0.17%	0.2%
90	Mali	0.24%	0.05%	-	0.23%	-	-	0.2%
91	Palestine	0.24%	0.27%	0.27%	0.33%	-	0.23%	0.2%
92	Panama	0.23%	-	-	0.2%	0.26%	0.24%	0.2%
93	Romania	0.11%	0.13%	0.15%	0.16%	0.14%	-	0.2%
94	South Africa	-	-	0.23%	-	-	0.2%	0.2%
95	Thailand	0.09%	-	-	0.13%	-	-	0.2%
96	Bangladesh	0.21%	0.25%	0.02%	0.06%	0.04%	-	0.1%
97	Bolivia	0.19%	0.12%	0.1%	0.05%	0.06%	-	0.1%
98	Ghana	-	-	0.19%	0.06%	-	-	0.1%
99	Indonesia	0.03%	0.04%	-	0.04%	0.05%	-	0.1%
100	Malaysia	0.26%	-	-	0.1%	-	-	0.1%
101	Montenegro	0.28%	0.14%	-	-	-	-	0.1%
102	Pakistan	0.03%	-	0.04%	-	-	-	0.1%
103	Rwanda	0.07%	0.08%	0.05%	0.09%	0.07%	-	0.1%
104	Senegal	0.42%	-	-	0.25%	-	-	0.1%
105	Vietnam	0.07%	0.08%	0.06%	0.06%	0.07%	-	0.1%
106	Zimbabwe	-	-	0.16%	0.04%	0.11%	-	0.1%

Methodology

This analysis employs UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) data from household surveys and censuses across 106 countries with available data for 2019-2024 (2000-2024 dataset). The indicator measures the percentage of the population who have completed research doctorate education (ISCED 8), including PhD degrees and other advanced research qualifications, or achieved equivalent highest educational levels, based on self-reported educational attainment in nationally representative surveys.

The 2026 estimates represent scenario-informed comparative assessments, not authoritative predictions or exact forecasts. They indicate probable direction and relative magnitude based on individual country evaluation incorporating research university development and research doctorate education system factors. For each country, we conducted contextual assessment examining historical completion trends (calculating annual change rates where multiple data points exist), research university system development, economic development trajectory creating demand for research professionals, and data reliability considerations. Countries with clear trends and recent data use observed patterns as foundation, while those with limited or older data are assessed using regional benchmarks and comparable country analysis within consistent analytical constraints applied across all countries. All projections account for the gradual nature of research doctorate attainment change (realistic annual change 0.05-0.3 percentage points) and economic constraints based on research labor market structure. Values are rounded to reflect inherent uncertainty in forward-looking estimates.

Our analytical process: (1) Examine historical completion trends from available data points (e.g., if 2019: 1.2% and 2023: 1.5%, annual rate = +0.075%/year), (2) Evaluate sustainability given economic structure and research university capacity, (3) Analyze research education-specific developments relevant to doctorate completion (research university expansion and infrastructure development, doctoral research program establishment and funding, research faculty recruitment and advanced training, research employment opportunities in knowledge-intensive sectors, technology sector growth requiring advanced research expertise, healthcare and science research sector expansion, government investment in research doctorate education, demographic changes as educated youth cohorts age into population), (4) Compare with regional context and comparable countries to validate reasonableness, (5) Adjust for baseline value and economic constraints (higher baselines = slower change due to saturation effects), (6) Consider data recency and research education developments during data gaps.

Most countries have recent data (2020+), representing current completion levels with 106 countries having data from 2019-2024. For countries with older data in the full dataset, we assessed research education-specific developments during the data gap: research university construction and infrastructure modernization, doctoral research program establishment and funding expansion, research faculty recruitment and advanced training programs, research employment opportunities in knowledge-intensive sectors, technology sector growth requiring advanced research expertise, healthcare and science research sector expansion creating research demand, government research doctorate investment and scholarship programs, demographic transition as educated youth cohorts mature into population. In developed countries with established research universities, doctorate degree completion rates reflect mature research systems with limited growth potential due to saturation effects. These contextual factors are used qualitatively to inform direction and magnitude, not as precise quantitative inputs. Countries with strong economic development show larger projected increases reflecting research university expansion to meet research workforce demands. Developed countries with established research systems show minimal change due to already achieving high completion rates. Low-income countries show modest improvements constrained by limited research university infrastructure and economic opportunities for research professionals.