Female Scientists and Engineers Rise in EU, Yet Disparities Persist

The latest data reveals a significant increase in the number of female scientists and engineers in the European Union, although disparities persist across sectors. According to the most recent figures from Eurostat, the number of women in these fields surged from 3.4 million in 2008 to 7.9 million in 2024. This growth is notable against the backdrop of a broader workforce in science and technology, which employed more than 73.8 million individuals aged 25 to 64 across the EU.

Despite this progress, challenges remain. Women researchers have nearly achieved parity in higher education and government sectors, with representation at 44% and 45%, respectively. However, in the business enterprise sector, their participation drops to 22%. Furthermore, women constitute only 25% of self-employed professionals within science, engineering, and information and communications technology (ICT).

The European Commission’s 2024 She Figures report highlights ongoing issues of gender segregation in the labor market. It notes, “Gender segregation remains a challenge in the labour market. However, there is a gradual trend towards reversing this, indicating slow but steady progress towards gender equality.”

Regional Insights and Gender Representation

Among EU member states, the highest percentages of female scientists and engineers are found in Latvia at 50.9%, followed by Denmark at 48.8% and Estonia at 47.9%. Conversely, the lowest representation is in Finland at 30.7%, Hungary at 31.7%, and Luxembourg at 32.4%.

Interestingly, in certain regions, women outnumber men in scientific roles. Specifically, female representation surpasses that of males in 11 regions across countries such as Spain, Portugal, Poland, Bulgaria, Sweden, and Latvia. The highest concentration of female scientists is in the Canary Islands, with 58.8%, followed by the Portuguese archipelagos of the Azores at 57.3% and Madeira at 56.4%.

In contrast, the regions with the lowest proportions of female scientists include Közép-Magyarország in Hungary at 30.0%, Manner-Suomi in Finland at 30.7%, and Sud in Italy at 31.1%.

Impact of Origin on Employment in STEM Fields

The report also indicates that women born outside the EU are significantly less likely to work as scientists or engineers, with only 36% employed in these roles. In comparison, women born in other EU nations and those born in the same EU country where they work have higher employment rates at 43% and 42%, respectively. The lowest proportions of women born outside the EU in scientific roles are found in Luxembourg at 21% and the Netherlands at 26%.

As the EU continues to work towards greater gender equality in science and engineering, these statistics underscore both progress made and the challenges that lie ahead. The ongoing efforts to increase female representation in STEM fields are critical for fostering innovation and ensuring diverse perspectives in research and development.