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Expert Network on Economics and Sociology of Education and Training (ENESET)
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Gender differences in tertiary education: what explains STEM participation?

Details

Identification
ISBN: 978-92-76-12994-3, DOI: 10.2766/421080, Catalogue number: NC-04-19-713-EN-N
Publication date
23 July 2020
Authors
Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture | European Expert Network on Economics of Education (EENEE)

Description

The share of women achieving tertiary education has increased rapidly over time and now exceeds that of men. Yet they are severely under-represented in maths-intensive science fields (generally known as science, technology, engineering and maths or STEM). 

Because of the economic importance attached to these fields, it is important to encourage more women to enter and remain in relevant subject areas throughout their education. This would also reduce occupational segregation and the gender wage gap, as maths-intensive fields are well-paid on average. 

This report presents some common themes with policy relevance that emerge from the literature.

Author

Sandra McNally

Cite as

European Commission: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Expert Network on Economics of Education (EENEE) and McNally, S., Gender differences in tertiary education – What explains STEM participation?, Publications Office of the European Union, 2020, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/421080

Files

  • 23 JULY 2020
Gender differences in tertiary education: what explains STEM participation? - Analytical report
  • 23 JULY 2020
Gender differences in tertiary education: what explains STEM participation? - Executive summary
  • 23 JULY 2020
Gender differences in tertiary education: what explains STEM participation? - Policy brief