Overview of Science and Technology Employment

As of 2021, nearly 74 million individuals aged between 15 and 74 were employed in the fields of science and technology across the European Union (EU). This figure represents a 3% increase from the previous year and a remarkable 21% rise since 2011.

Gender Distribution in the Workforce

Among this workforce, women comprised 52%, marking a growth of 4% since 2020, and an impressive 26% since 2011. Notably, the increase in female employment in these sectors has outpaced that of their male counterparts—men saw a rise of just 1% compared to 2020, resulting in a total of approximately 37.8 million male employees in 2021.

Regional Insights

Variability exists across EU regions regarding women’s employment in science and technology. The highest representation was observed in:

• Latvia and Lithuania – 63%.
• Great Plain and North in Hungary – 61%.
• Central region in Poland – 61%.
• Saxony-Anhalt in Germany – 61%.
• North and South-East Bulgaria – 61%.
• Azores in Portugal and Estonia – 60%.

Conversely, regions with the lowest female workforce percentages included:

• Malta – 44%.
• Southern Italy – 46%.
• North-East and North-West Italy, as well as South Netherlands – 47%.

Age Demographics in the Workforce

The distribution of age among individuals employed in science and technology is telling. In 2021, women accounted for 53.3% of the 17.6 million young workers aged 25 to 34, totaling around 9.4 million women. Over the last decade, the number of women in this sector surged by 14.8%, a net gain of 1.2 million, while male participation increased by 10.8%, reaching 8.2 million.

Additionally, demographic trends reveal that among the 68.3 million individuals aged 25 to 64 in science and technology roles:

• 45% (approximately 30.8 million) were aged 45 to 64.
• 29% (19.9 million) fell into the 35 to 44 age group.
• 26% were aged 25 to 34 (17.6 million).

Concluding Remarks

The growth in employment figures, particularly among women in science and technology, showcases a positive trend towards greater gender equality in this sector. Regions vary significantly, highlighting the need for continued focus on equitable employment practices.

Methodological Notes

The region names used in this article are English translations of their original titles. Data for countries such as Czechia, Denmark, and Ireland are considered single regions for this analysis. Regions such as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland have also been classified as single regions.

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