Rise in Doctoral Students in German Universities: A 4% Increase Reported - Increase in Doctoral Students in German Higher Education by 4%
Germany's Doctoral Landscape in 2024: A Gender-Balanced and International Scene
According to the Federal Statistical Office, Germany had a total of 212,400 doctoral candidates in 2024, with an approximate gender balance of 49% female and 51% male [1]. This near gender parity is a notable development in the country's academic landscape.
The distribution of doctoral candidates across various fields of study reveals some interesting trends. Human Medicine and Health Sciences led the way with 60,300 candidates, accounting for 28% of the total [1]. Close behind were Mathematics and Natural Sciences, with 47,700 candidates (22%), and Engineering, with 39,200 candidates (18%) [1]. Law, Economics, and Social Sciences followed with 33,300 candidates (16%) [1].
Interestingly, the gender distribution within these fields varies significantly. In Engineering, about 77% of the candidates were male, while in Arts and Art Studies, approximately two-thirds were female [1].
The international composition of Germany's doctoral candidates is also worth noting. About 25% (52,800) of all doctoral candidates held foreign citizenship [1]. Among new doctoral entrants in 2024, 27% (9,500) were international students [1].
While detailed university-specific doctoral graduate data by gender and field are not directly provided by the Federal Statistical Office, certain universities have shown improved gender equality outcomes in doctoral and faculty levels according to recent CEWS rankings [2][3]. For example, the University of Würzburg and RWTH Aachen have demonstrated improved gender equality outcomes.
In summary, the Federal Statistical Office data shows a near gender parity in total doctoral candidates, substantial variation by discipline, and a notable international presence among doctoral students in German universities [1]. The data also reveals that more than a quarter of doctorates were awarded in the field of Human Medicine/Health Sciences, with women dominating this field, holding more than two-thirds of the doctorates. In contrast, Engineering Sciences saw a gender skew towards men, with three out of four doctoral candidates being male. The Technische Universität München followed closely with four percent of all graduates, while the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München had the highest number of graduates, accounting for five percent of all graduates. Approximately a quarter of the doctoral graduates held a foreign nationality.
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