UNIVERSITY SPECIALISTS, 2024

According to the data of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, 609 university specialists obtained their academic degree in 2024. The share of women in that number amounted to 400, that is, 65.7%.

More women than men among university specialists

Out of the total number of university specialists, 64.0% completed a university specialist study at the University of Zagreb, 19.4% at the University of Rijeka, 5.6% at the Libertas International University, Zagreb, 4.7% at the University of Split, 3.1% at the University of Osijek, 1.5% at the University North, Koprivnica, 1.3% at the University of Zadar, and 0.2% (each) at the University of Pula – Pola and at the University of Slavonski Brod.

The highest share of female university specialists obtained their degree at the University of Zadar (100.0%), followed by the Libertas International University, Zagreb (82.4%), the University of Osijek (68.4%), the University of Zagreb (67.4%), the University North, Koprivnica (66.7%), the University of Split (65.5%) and the University of Rijeka (53.4%). There were no female university specialists at the University of Pula – Pola and the University of Slavonski Brod.

Social sciences – the most often chosen field of specialist theses

In 2024, the largest number of specialist theses were from scientific fields (89.6%), followed by the interdisciplinary fields od science (8.4%) and the artistic field (2.0%). In the scientific field, the largest number of specialist theses was from the field of Social sciences (41.7%), followed by Biomedicine and health (39.7%), Engineering (5.6%), Biotechnical sciences (1.3%), Humanities (1.1%) and Natural sciences (0.2%). University specialists produced 8.4% of specialist theses in the interdisciplinary fields of science. The smallest number of them were defended in the artistic field (2.0%).

The majority of university specialists were in the 30 – 34 age group

Regarding age, the largest number of all university specialists was classified in the 30 – 34 age group (28.3%) and the smallest one in the 45-49 age group (8.9%). There were 10.0% of university specialists in the up-to-29 age group, 23.3% in the 35 – 39 age group, 17.7% in the 40 – 44 age group and 11.8% in the 50-and-over age group.

Out of the total number of university specialists, 94.3% of them had previously graduated in the Republic of Croatia and 5.7% outside the Republic of Croatia.

The majority of university specialists were employed in Human health and social work activities

The largest number of university specialists were employed in Human health and social work activities (37.1%), followed by Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (20.4%), Professional, scientific and technical activities (10.7%), Education (8.4%), Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (5.4%), Financial and insurance activities (3.6%), Information and communication (3.4%), Manufacturing (3.1%), and Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (1.3%). There were 5.5% of university specialists employed in other activities, while 1.1% were unemployed.

The costs of studies were mostly paid by employers

The costs of studies for 48.9% of university specialists were paid by employers, for 48.3% of them were paid by university specialists themselves, while the costs of 2.8% of university specialists belonged to the category Other.

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Sources and methods of data collection

The data were obtained by the annual collection and processing of the Statistical Sheets for University Specialists (ŠV-80 form), which are filled in by university specialists upon attaining this title.

Coverage and comparability

The statistical survey covers institutions of higher education in the Republic of Croatia that establish and carry out university postgraduate specialist study according to the Act on Higher Education and Scientific Activity (NN, No. 119/22).

Data are comparable to data from previous years.

Definitions and explanations

Institution of higher education is every institution providing higher education that is authorised to establish and carry out a study as well as scientific highly qualified or artistic work. Institutions of higher education are universities, including adjoining faculties and art academies, polytechnics and schools of professional higher education. Institutions of higher education may be public and private.

Interdisciplinary studies cover many different scientific fields. They are conducted in cooperation by institutions of higher education and institutes.

University specialist study can be enrolled after the completion of a university graduate study.

University specialist title for a particular area (Univ. Spec.) is a person who completed a postgraduate specialist study, prepared a final thesis and/or passed an appropriate final exam (ISCED, level 7). In exceptional cases, persons who completed a university specialist study in medicine, dental medicine and veterinary medicine attain the title of a university specialist, i.e., a university specialist with an indication of the area in question in accordance with the name of the specialist study programme classified according to the Ordinance on Scientific and Interdisciplinary Areas, Fields and Branches and Artistic Area, Fields and Branches (NN, No. 3/24).

Published by the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, Zagreb, Ilica 3, P. O. B. 80
Phone: (+385 1) 48 06 111
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Persons responsible:
Mario Vlajčević, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Director General

Prepared by:
Josipa Jurić and Danijela Kurjaković

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