According to the report, in 2004, total doctorate awards in science and engineering (S&E) increased for the second year in a row, up to 26,275. After reaching an all-time high in 1998 (27,278), the number of S&E doctorate awards generally declined until 2002 (to around 24,600). Although there was an increase for two successive academic years, there is not yet sufficient evidence for determining if there is a new trend.
Link
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf06301/nsf06301.pdf