Overview

As of 2018, the European Union’s workforce in scientific and engineering fields comprised nearly 15 million professionals, with men constituting 59% and women making up 41% of this group.

Sector-Specific Insights

The representation of men and women varies significantly across different sectors:

• Manufacturing: A notable 79% of scientists and engineers in this sector were men.
• Services Sector: A more balanced gender ratio was observed here, with 54% male and 46% female professionals.

Gender Representation by Member States

While the overall numbers reflect a male-dominated field, some EU member states have a higher representation of women:

• Lithuania: 57% of professionals in this sector are women.
• Bulgaria and Latvia: Both report a gender split of 52% female.
• Denmark: Women make up 51% of scientists and engineers.

Conversely, several countries display lower female representation, with less than one-third of scientists and engineers being women:

• Finland: 29% female
• Hungary: 30% female
• Luxembourg: 31% female
• Germany: 33% female

International Recognition

This data was highlighted in recognition of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated annually on February 11.

Additional Information

The European Union (EU) comprises 27 member states, with the United Kingdom formally exiting on January 31, 2020.