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  The number of people acquiring a master's degree or doctoral degree in the natural sciences in Japan was rising alongside an expansion of graduate schools,but showed a decline in the number of doctorates in FY2002.During the five-year period from FY1994 to FY1999,the number of master's degrees conferred rose by1.24times(average annual growth rate of4.3%),and the number of doctorates by1.11times(average annual growth rate of2.1%) (Figure2-2-21). Looking at degrees by major for FY1999,the engineering field accounted for the largest number of new master's degree holders at25,133,while the largest number of new Ph.D.s was in the health science field at6,825.

  The master's or the doctorate degrees differ from country to country due to differences in culture and educational systems.Social factors such as industrial structure and number of students can affect the number of awarded degrees.Thus,it is difficult to compare the data at face value.It is useful,however,to compare trends,and this section describes the degree trends in natural sciences and engineering in selected countries.

  The United States awards the largest number of degrees,a little over3times as many as does Japan.Compared to1980,the ratio of engineering and health science degrees to total degrees has increased.Japan is second in number of degrees awarded following the U.S.and has a higher ratio in engineering.The United Kingdom,Germany and France follow in the order named.Of these countries,Germany has a higher ratio in physical science and health science fields,the U.K.is higher in physical science and engineering,and France has a higher ratio of degrees awarded in health sciences (Figure2-2-22). Also,if we look at doctorates only,the number in physical science field in Japan is quite a bit lower than in other selected countries.

  The number of graduate school students as a proportion of all university students is also lowest in Japan among selected countries (Figure2-2-23).

Figure2-2-21Degree trends in Japan(natural science)

Figure2-2-22Number of awarded degrees in selected countries(natural science)

Figure2-2-23Number of graduate and university students,and percentage of graduate school students in selected countries