DOCTORS OF SCIENCE, 2023

According to the data of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, a total of 806 persons obtained their degree of doctors of science in 2023. The share of women in that number amounted to 454, that is, 56.3%.

More women than men among doctors of science

Out of the total of 806 doctors of science, 65.6% of them obtained their degree at the University of Zagreb, 10.9% at the University of Split, 9.9% at the University of Osijek, 8.3% at the University of Rijeka, 3.5% at the University of Zadar, 0.7% both at the University North, Koprivnica, and at the Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, and 0.4% at the University of Slavonski Brod.

The highest share of female doctors of science obtained their degree at the University of Zadar, 64.3%, followed by the University of Osijek, 61.3%, the University of Rijeka, 56.7%, the University of Zagreb, 56.0%, the University of Split, 53.4%, the University North, Koprivnica, and the Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, 50.0% at each. There were no female doctors of science at the University of Slavonski Brod.

Biomedicine and health – the most often chosen field of doctoral dissertations

The majority of doctoral dissertations in 2023 were defended in the field of Biomedicine and health (26.5%), followed by the field of Engineering (19.7%), Social sciences (19.5%), Natural sciences (14.1%), Humanities (10.5%), Biotechnical sciences (6.2%) and Interdisciplinary fields of science (3.0%). The smallest number of doctoral dissertations were defended in Artistic field (0.5%).

There were 7.1% of doctors of science who have already obtained a master’s degree.

The largest number of doctors of science in the 30 to 34 age group

Regarding age, the largest number of doctors of science was classified in the 30 – 34 age group (34.0%). There were 12.3% of doctors of science in the up-to-29 age group, 20.6% of doctors of science in the 35 – 39 age group, 12.7% in the 40 – 44 age group, 8.9% in the 45 – 49 age group and 11.5% in the 50-and-over age group.

The largest number of doctors of science employed in Education

The largest number of doctors of science were employed in the following activities: 46.8% in Education, 21.3% in Human health and social welfare, 14.6% in Professional, scientific and technical activities, and 3.7% in Public administration and defence; compulsory social security. There were 12.7% of doctors of science employed in other activities, while 0.9% of them were unemployed.

The costs of studies mostly paid by employers

Regarding the costs of postgraduate university studies leading to a doctoral degree, 46.9% of them were paid by employers, 36.6% by doctors of science themselves, the costs for 12.3% of doctors of science were allocated from the State Budget, while the costs of 4.2% of doctors of science belonged to the category Other.

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Sources and methods of data collection

Data are the result of the annual data processing of statistical sheets for doctors of science (ŠV-70 form), which are filled in by doctors of science or doctors of art at obtaining this degree.

Coverage and comparability

The statistical survey covers all schools of higher education in the Republic of Croatia that establish and carry out the postgraduate university study for obtaining a doctoral degree or allow for obtaining a doctoral degree according to the Act on Higher Education and Scientific Activity (NN, No. 119/22).

Data are comparable to those from previous years.

Definitions and explanations

Doctor of science is a person who defended a doctoral dissertation.

Institution of higher education is any institution authorised to organise and implement courses of study as well as scientific research, highly professional or artistic work. Institutions of higher education are divided in the following way: universities, faculties, art academies and polytechnics. Institutions of higher education may be public and private.

University doctoral study can be enrolled after the completion of a graduate university study or a university integrated undergraduate and graduate study or a university specialist study.

Postgraduate university doctoral study lasts for three years. After fulfilling all conditions and on public defending of a doctoral dissertation, a person obtains an academic degree of the doctor of science (Dr. Sc.) or the doctor of art (Dr. Art) with a reference to the field of study, in line with the Rule Book of Scientific and Artistic Disciplines, Fields and Branches (NN, Nos 118/09, 82/12, 32/13, 34/16 and 56/22).

Published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Zagreb, Ilica 3, P. O. B. 80.
Phone: (+385 1) 48 06 111
Press corner: press@dzs.hr

Persons responsible:
Dubravka Rogić-Hadžalić, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Josipa Jurić and Danijela Kurjaković

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