The proportion of the population holding a postgraduate degree signifies the level of advanced education within a society or a specific demographic group. For example, if data indicates that 15% of adults over 25 possess a graduate-level academic qualification, this represents the relative frequency of individuals achieving this level of educational attainment within that population.
A high incidence of advanced degrees can correlate with various societal benefits, including increased innovation, a more skilled workforce, and higher average earnings. Historically, the number of individuals pursuing graduate studies has seen fluctuations driven by factors such as economic conditions, workforce demands, and governmental policies that support advanced education.