In 2019, there were more than 6.3 million female scientists and engineers in the EU, accounting for 41% of total employment in science and engineering.

Scientists and engineers

 

Source dataset: hrst_st_nsecsex2

 

By sector, women were underrepresented in manufacturing (where only 21% of scientists and engineers were female), while there was more of a gender balance in the services sector (46%).

Among the EU Member States, the proportion of female scientists and engineers varied widely in 2019, ranging from 55% in Lithuania to 28% in Luxembourg.

At NUTS1 regional level, female scientists and engineers were in the majority in 13 EU regions:

  • five regions of Spain: the North-East (53%), North-West, Canary Islands and East (all 52%) and Centre (51%),
  • two regions of Poland: Eastern (54%) and Central (51%),
  • North and South-East Bulgaria (57%), Madeira in Portugal (57%), Northern Sweden (56%), as well as Lithuania (55%), Latvia (53%) and Denmark (52%): all three single regions at this level of detail.

At the other end of the scale, the smallest proportion of female scientists and engineers was recorded in Baden-Württemberg in Germany (29%) and Luxembourg (28%: a single region at this level of detail).

Proportion of women scientists and engineers​​​​​​​

 

Source dataset: hrst_st_rsex

 

This news item marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated on 11 February.