DOCTORS OF SCIENCE, 2025

According to the data of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, a total of 800 persons obtained their degrees of doctors of science in 2025. The share of women in that number amounted to 463, that is, 57.9%.

More women than men among doctors of science

Out of the total of 800 doctors of science, 64.9% of them obtained their degree at the University of Zagreb, 11.9% at the University of Rijeka, 10.0% at the University of Split, 7.7% at the University of Osijek, 4.1% at the University of Zadar, 0.5% both at the Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb and at the University North, Koprivnica, and 0.4% at the University of Pula.

The highest share of female doctors of science obtained their degree at the University North, Koprivnica (100%), followed by the Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, with 75.0%, the University of Zadar with 69.7%, the University of Osijek with 66.1%, the University of Split with 63.8%, the University of Rijeka with 58.9%, the University of Zagreb with 54.7%, and the University of Pula with 3.3%.

Biomedicine and health – the most often chosen field for doctoral theses

The majority of doctoral theses in 2025 were from the field of Biomedicine and health (27.9%), followed by the fields of Engineering (21.1%), Social sciences (17.7%), Natural sciences (17.6%), Humanities (7.9%), and Biotechnical sciences (5.9%). The smallest number of doctoral theses were from Interdisciplinary fields of science (1.9%).

There were 3.3% of doctors of science who had already obtained a master of science degree before the defence of their doctoral thesis.

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 (36.4%). There were 12.1% of doctors of science in the up-to-29 age group, 18.9% in the 35 – 39 age group, 13.0% in the 40 – 44 age group, 8.7% in the 45 – 49 age group and 10.9% 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: 42.4% in Education, 17.0% in Human health and social welfare, 15.9% in Professional, scientific and technical activities, 7.0% in Public administration and defence; compulsory social security, and 3.8% in Telecommunication, computer programming, consulting, computer infrastructure and other information service activities. There were 13.1% of doctors of science employed in all other activities, while 0.8% of them were unemployed.

The costs of studies mostly paid by employers

Regarding the costs of doctoral studies, 42.0% of them were paid by employers, 37.4% by doctors of science themselves, the costs for 14.5% of doctors of science were allocated from the State Budget, while the costs for 6.1% of doctors of science belonged to the category Other.

NOTES ON METHODOLOGY

Sources and methods of data collection

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

Coverage and comparability

The statistical survey covers all institutions 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 in accordance with the Act on Higher Education and Scientific Activity (NN, No. 119/22).

The data are comparable to those from previous years.

Definitions and explanations

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

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 can be public and private.

Doctoral study can be enrolled upon the completion of a university graduate study or a university integrated undergraduate and graduate study or a university specialist study.

A postgraduate university doctoral study lasts for three years. After fulfilling all prescribed conditions and on public defending of a doctoral thesis, a person obtains an academic degree of the doctor of science (Dr. Sc.) or the doctor of arts (Dr. Art.) with a reference to the scientific, interdisciplinary or artistic field and branch, in line with 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
Press corner: press@dzs.hr

Persons responsible:
Mario Vlajčević, Director of Demographic and Social Statistics Directorate
Lidija Brković, Acting Director General

Prepared by:
Marija Gojević, Josipa Jurić and Danijela Kurjaković

USERS ARE KINDLY REQUESTED TO STATE THE SOURCE.

Customer Relations and Data Protection Department

Information and user requests
Phone: (+385 1) 48 06 138, 48 06 154, 48 06 115
E-mail: stat.info@dzs.hr

Subscription
Phone: (+385 1) 21 00 455
E-mail: prodaja@dzs.hr