 "Is the PhD dream dying? Why fewer students are enrolling in doctoral programmes")
The number of students pursuing doctoral degrees is steadily falling across multiple countries, including Australia, Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and India.
Experts are raising alarms over this trend, attributing it to financial struggles, uncertain job prospects, and a shifting perception of academia.
Cláudia Sarrico, a project lead at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), warns that these declining numbers should serve as a “wake-up call” for nations to reform working conditions and expand career pathways, reports Nature.
Otherwise, they risk a talent drain that could slow scientific progress. The most recent figures released by Universities Australia and the Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR) in January 2024 reveal an 8 per cent drop in domestic PhD enrolments from 2018 to 2023, despite Australia’s population growing by over 7 per cent in the same period.
Why the drop in PhD enrolments?
One of the primary reasons behind the drop in PhD enrolments is financial instability. In Australia, the average PhD stipend is around AUD 32,000 (USD 20,000), which falls below the minimum wage.
According to Louise Sharpe, president of the Australian Council of Graduate Research (ACGR), most PhD students in the country are in their late thirties and have families, making it increasingly difficult to sustain themselves on low stipends, reports Nature.
A similar situation exists in Japan, where financial insecurity has led to a steady decline in PhD enrolments since the early 2000s. In 2023, only 15,014 domestic students enrolled in doctoral programmes, compared to 18,232 in 2003.
Recognising this issue, Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) announced new funding initiatives to support PhD students and increase enrolment numbers.
Brazil, too, has faced declining PhD enrolments, with 2022 marking the lowest number of domestic PhD entrants in nearly a decade. The Brazilian Federal Agency for the Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES) identified the economic crisis and a lack of government investment in science and technology as key contributors to this drop.
However, the Brazilian government responded in 2023 with a 40 per cent increase in research grants — the first such raise in a decade — leading to a slight rise in enrolments.
In Canada, where PhD enrolments have not yet declined, the debate centres on whether current funding provides a living wage.
Nature quoted Adam Sarty, president-elect of the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies, who acknowledges that while the government increased graduate-student scholarships for the first time in over two decades, these funds only benefit top-performing students. Additional support is needed to ensure financial stability for those who do not receive scholarships.
Growing disillusionment with academia
Even in countries where PhD enrolments have remained stable, there is growing concern over career opportunities post-graduation. Research conducted by the OECD in 2021 highlighted that even where enrolment numbers are steady, attracting top talent to doctoral programmes is becoming more difficult due to the increasing instability of academic careers.
In China, the number of PhD holders has been rising, but so has competition for academic jobs. According to Hugo Horta, a higher-education policy researcher at the University of Hong Kong, the oversupply of PhD graduates has resulted in a shrinking job market for doctorate holders in academia.
Recognising the limitations of academic employment, several countries are introducing programmes to equip PhD students with alternative career skills. Japan’s MEXT has announced plans for long-term, paid internships to help doctoral students diversify their career opportunities outside academia.
Public perception of PhDs is another challenge. “There is this misperception that we’re taking young people who want to be perpetual students, putting them in an ivory tower, getting them to look at esoteric questions that are unrelated to the social good of our community,” says Sharpe.
However, she argues that PhD holders often take on leadership roles in government, industry, and other sectors, despite their contributions being overlooked.
The PhD crisis in India
India’s ambition to become a global knowledge powerhouse is being threatened by its struggling PhD ecosystem.
While the country produces a significant number of doctoral graduates, many seek opportunities abroad due to a lack of research funding and poor job prospects. This “brain drain” threatens India’s potential for innovation and economic growth.
Several key challenges impact India’s PhD landscape:
Brain drain: Many Indian PhD graduates move overseas for better salaries and research opportunities.
Poor research infrastructure: Indian universities often lack sufficient funding and resources, impacting research quality.
Limited industry engagement: A significant gap exists between academia and industry, making it difficult for PhD holders to secure private-sector jobs.
Low stipends: Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) students receive Rs. 37,000 per month, but those outside this programme often have no financial support, reported HT’s Mint. Even JRF benefits expire after five years, increasing financial strain on researchers.
The economic consequences of this crisis could be severe:
Stunted innovation: A shortage of homegrown research talent could slow down technological advancements.
Loss of global competitiveness: Other nations with better-supported PhD ecosystems could surpass India in research and development.
Impact on the knowledge economy: India’s goal of becoming a research hub may be undermined by its struggling PhD system.
What is the solution?
To reverse the downward trend in PhD enrolments and improve career prospects for doctorate holders, experts recommend several strategies:
Increased funding: Governments and private institutions must invest more in research and development.
Stronger industry-academia collaboration: Establishing better links between universities and industries could create job pathways for PhD graduates.
Enhanced PhD programmes: Improved mentorship, research training, and infrastructure could make doctoral studies more attractive.
Better incentives: Competitive salaries and benefits are essential to retaining PhD talent within countries.
Without significant policy changes and financial investments, the appeal of pursuing a PhD may continue to wane, affecting global research and innovation in the long run.
With inputs from agencies
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