Gender Representation Among Scientists and Engineers in the EU (2017)
In 2017, the European Union was home to nearly 18 million individuals working as scientists and engineers. A significant gender disparity was evident, with men comprising 59% of this workforce, while women represented 41%.
Sectoral Breakdown of Gender Representation
The distribution of male and female professionals varied across sectors:
- High and Medium-High Technology Manufacturing: This sector exhibited a stark gender imbalance, with men accounting for 83% of the workforce.
- Services Sector: Gender representation was more equitable, with men making up 55% and women 45%.
Country-Specific Insights
Some EU member states displayed a welcome deviation from the overall trend:
- Lithuania: 57% female scientists and engineers
- Bulgaria & Latvia: 53% female representation
- Portugal: 51% female professionals
- Denmark: Just over 50% female workforce
Conversely, certain countries still faced significant underrepresentation of women in this field:
- Hungary: Only 25% women
- Luxembourg: 25% women
- Finland: 29% women
- Germany: 33% women
Visual Data Representations
Source: Eurostat.
Source: Eurostat.
Conclusion
This data highlights the ongoing challenges and progress regarding gender equality in science and engineering fields across the EU. It aligns with the celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, observed annually on February 11. Further details on human resources in science and technology can be found in the Statistics Explained article.
Contact Information
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