Ratio of Natural Science and Engineering Degrees to the College-Age Population

Source: "Reasons for International Changes in the Ratio of Natural Science and Engineering Degrees to the College-Age Population," Joan Burrelli and Alan Rapoport, NSF InfoBrief (NSF 09-308), National Science Foundation, January 2009.

There has been a growth in science and engineering first degrees in the United States, but a much more rapid recent growth in Asian nations. Of course it is hard to judge from such figures how good the training might be that is represented by those degrees. Moreover, the "stock" of engineering and science graduates accumulates over decades. The higher production per unit population during decades in the United States suggests that our stock of engineers and scientists may be large still. Of course engineers and scientists migrate to the United States and away from many nations, changing the relative stocks of engineers in both.

There may also be problems dealing with the effects of very rapidly building a stock of scientists and engineers, including lack of professionals to continue the on-the-job training of new graduates, and possible overcapacity for educational services once an adequate stock of young professionals has been accumulated.