Here are 7 countries churning out most STEM graduates

In the race to dominate science and technology, some countries are intensifying efforts to lead the tech space by churning out STEM graduates at staggering rates.

Here are the top seven countries churning out the most number of STEM graduates.

Read also: Top 5 countries that are best for STEM courses

China

China is miles ahead, producing 3.57 million STEM graduates annually, over 40 per cent of all its university degrees. It is no surprise China is a global leader in AI, biotech, and renewable energy.

According to the Centre for Security and Emerging Technology, “Based on current enrollment patterns, by 2025 Chinese universities will produce more than 77,000 STEM PhD graduates per year compared to countries such as India.

India

India follows closely, with 2.55 million STEM graduates per year. Many of these graduates fuel the country’s booming IT industry, contributing to India’s rise as the world’s software development hub.

For years, engineering has reigned supreme in the landscape of India’s academic and career aspirations, so much so that it almost became a rite of passage.

The trend, which took off in the late 20th century, was fuelled by India’s rapid need for industrialisation and reinforced by a subsequent global reputation as an emerging technological powerhouse. Families viewed engineering not just as a career path, but as a secure future.

By 2030, India is projected to surpass China in the number of STEM graduates, reshaping the global tech workforce.

Read also: Top 5 best and worst European countries for young adults

USA

The United States produces around 820,000 STEM graduates a year, making up about 20 per cent of all degrees awarded. The United States is third in the number of STEM graduates.

The US STEM degrees make up over 22.3 per cent of bachelor’s degrees.

However, the U.S. remains a magnet for international STEM talent, with many of its top engineers and scientists coming from abroad.

The United States appears to be eager to meet the country’s goal of churning out more college graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Russia

Russia produces 520,000 STEM university grades. The country’s STEM makes up 29 per cent. Russia is fourth in the number of STEM graduates.

According to available data, the number of STEM graduates from Russia in 2024 is estimated to be around 8,691 based on statistics from Statista, which tracks the number of high-scoring students in the Unified State Exam in Russia.

Indonesia

Indonesia is fifth in the number of STEM graduates, with 300,000 graduates.

The country’s level of tertiary attainment among 25-64-year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (13.1 per cent rank 47/47, 2023) download indicator

Indonesia’s level of tertiary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17.9 per cent rank 46/46, 2023) download indicator

The level of tertiary attainment among 55-64 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.8percent, rank 45/46, 2023) download indicator.

Read also: Top 10 study destinations outside the Big Four

Iran

Iran churns out 26 per cent of STEM university degree graduates.

According to Forbes statistics for 2016, 335,000 Iranian graduates finished a degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), ranking fifth after China, India, the US, and Russia as the most science-educated country in the world.

Germany

Germany produces 36 per cent of STEM university degree graduates.

According to Joybrato Mukherjee, DAAD president, “Germany have been heading towards an ever-increasing gap in skilled workers on the labour market for several years. At the same time, the Federal Republic is becoming increasingly popular as a place to study.”

Mukherjee said the country needs to think about both developments together and show international students more effectively and in greater numbers the path to a professional career.