In 2023, the number of individuals at the doctoral or equivalent level involved in study periods and/or work placements stood at a baseline. From this, forecasts show a progressive increase in these numbers from 2024, with a slight acceleration from 2027 onwards. The data indicates a consistent year-on-year growth of around 0.65% leading to a sharper 1% rise by 2028, suggesting a compound annual growth rate around 1.2% over the predicted 5-year span.
Future trends to observe include:
- Potential impacts of changing educational policies on doctoral placements.
- Technological advancements enhancing remote study/work placements.
- Fluctuations in funding for higher education and research.
