Number of doctorate degrees up 500% in 18 years in Brazil

The number of master's and doctorate degrees rose 379% and 489% respectively from 1996 to 2014 in Brazil, according to a survey released by the Center for Management and Strategic Studies (CGWW) at the 68th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science (SBPC), held in Porto Seguro, Bahia.

CGEE Director Antônio Galvão says the spawning of master's and doctorate programs has provided the necessary conditions for the development of other regions in the country. The growth potential of Brazil's wealth rises along with the expansion of knowledge, Galvão pointed out while talking about the study.

“It changes the quality of people's jobs, as [people with graduate, master's and doctorate degrees] will perform more complex tasks—activities and undertakings of higher technical and scientific density, which are better remunerated. The whole process of real development is based on knowledge. That's the big secret, and that's what the study's showing,” he noted.

The figures from the research study found that, from 2009 to 2014, 66% of people with a master's degree were employed, whereas 75% PhDs had a job—a rate considerably higher than that of the general population, which stands at 53%. Despite the increase, Brazil ranks third to last on a list with 37 countries. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Brazil is home to a mere 7.6 PhDs for every 100 thousand inhabitants. Mexico (4.2) and Chile (3.1) are the only countries to fare worse than Brazil on the list.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira