About half of EU students graduate in two main fields of education. In both of them, the lack of one gender is striking. Almost a quarter of students (24 %) graduate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and most of them are men.

The other big study field is education, health and welfare (EHW) with one fifth (19 %) of all EU graduates. Subjects in this field are equally unbalanced, but to the other extreme. For example, men account for only 19 % of education graduates.

The reasons behind this segregation largely come down to gender stereotypes that influence subject choices and career aspirations for girls and boys. Education systems and the wider societal context (e.g. job prospects) also have a strong impact on their educational choices.

Further information

Study and work in the EU: set apart by gender: Report

Press release: Study and work in the EU - set apart by gender

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