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Official statistics of Latvia
Official Statistics Portal of Latvia
Press release

76 % of the doctorate holders are engaged in the research

The Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) has carried out a sample survey ‘’Statistics on Careers of Doctorate Holders’’. On the basis of united methodology the survey was carried out in the Member States of the European Union. In the survey doctorate holders aged 70 and younger were interviewed. At the beginning of 2007 in Latvia 3.6 thsd doctorate holders were at this age, of which 2.0 thsd were selected to participate in the survey. The questionnaires were sent to the respondents by e-mail. Moreover, interviews by phone were used, as well as, the interviewers met part of the respondents at home and asked the survey questions there.

According to the survey data, 56% of the doctorate holders are males.

According to the survey data, 95% of the total number of doctorate holders are employed, of which 98% have a permanent job. 76% of the total number of doctorate holders are engaged in research. Almost a half (46%) of the employed doctorate holders mentioned academic post in the higher education institutions as their main job.

According to the survey data, each third (34%) doctorate holder has doctoral degree of natural sciences, 19% - of social sciences, 19% - of engineering and technology. In comparison, in the school year 2007/2008 only 5% of the total number of students studied natural sciences.

Daily work of the 46% of the doctorate holders is related to the field where the doctorate degree was obtained, for the 36% - it is partly related, but for 18% not related at all. It should be mentioned, that every fifth male doctorate holder does not work in the field where the doctorate degree was obtained.

According to the survey data 72% of the respondents have been awarded with the doctorate degree in Latvia, but 28% - abroad. The countries mentioned most often were Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Estonia. From the countries of the European Union – Sweden and Germany.

More than a half (58%) of the doctorate holders aged 70 and younger got their degree until 1990. During the time period from 2005 to 2007 the studies in the doctoral programmes on average were completed in six years, and the average age of the new doctorate holders was 38 years.

Average gross annual earnings of the doctorate holders in 2006 were LVL 14.2 thsd (for males – LVL 16.7 thsd, for females – LVL 11.3 thsd). Higher income was observed among the doctorate holders, which have degree in engineering and technology (LVL 16.6 thsd) and social sciences (LVL 16.2 thsd). It is noteworthy that, if male doctorate holders in 2006 were engaged in research, their gross annual earnings were LVL 15.7 thsd, but if they were not working in research - LVL 19.9 thsd, respectively.

Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat) is publishing the data of the survey ‘’Statistics on Careers of Doctorate Holders’’ compiled on all European countries at the end of the year.

Prepared by Living Standard’s Statistics Section
Tel. 67366847
Baiba Zukula

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