Welcome to the world of Serbian higher education where numbers don’t lie, but might hide more than they reveal! According to the latest data from the Republic Statistical Office, only 38,963 students graduated in Serbia in 2024. Yes, you read that right – less than forty thousand young people finished university across the country. But wait, there’s more! Of that number, only 38.3% are men, while women make up a whopping 61.7%. Is this a sign that men are running away from education or is something else seriously wrong?
Even more interesting is where these students graduated from. A massive 78.2% finished state universities, while only 21.8% came from private faculties. Does this mean private universities aren’t popular or maybe not good enough? Or is the state the only one capable of producing graduates?
But hold on, it doesn’t end there! Another report from the Statistical Office sheds light on the state of science and technology in Serbia. Here things get even weirder. Of all people working in science and technology, 83.4% have at least a first level of higher education, which sounds great, right? But only 2.2% hold doctoral degrees! Is this a sign Serbia isn’t investing enough in top researchers or that young people are running away from PhDs?
And let’s not forget, out of all people in science and technology, 55% are women. Looks like women are the ones carrying science and tech on their backs while men are off somewhere dodging diplomas and doctorates.
What does all this tell us? Is the Serbian higher education system in crisis? Have students lost motivation? Or is the problem the system itself that can’t keep young talent?
And while we wonder, the University of Belgrade is already announcing dates for enrolling a new generation of students – document submission starts July 21, and entrance exams run from July 24 to 28. Will the new generation be better prepared or continue the chain of problems?
This is the real diploma drama in Serbia! Is it time for serious change or will we keep watching our students and scientists flee the system? Share your thoughts, maybe you have the answer to this puzzling situation. Or at least a good diploma joke!
Jump into the conversation because this isn’t just statistics – it’s Serbia’s future on the line!
