Langue(s) : anglais 

Girls' career aspirations in STEM

Editeur(s) :  European Commission (EC)

Date :  06/2021

 

This study investigates the determinants and drivers of girls’ career aspirations in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM). It is based on a literature review and an in-depth descriptive and econometric analysis of OECD PISA 2018 microdata. The motivation for this study is the persistent under-representation of women in the labour market for science and technology. Increasing the proportion of women in STEM is important to expanding the labour force in science and technology (ICT), increasing women’s access to well-paid jobs, and promoting the development of technology that is not gender biased. As Commissioner Mariya Gabriel said in her speech at an ICT/STEM event, The work for the future or how to attract young people for careers in ICT and STEM?, “Only one in three STEM graduates is a woman. On average, women make up only 17% of tech-sector jobs.” Career aspirations during adolescence have been shown to be good predictors of actual career choices in adulthood though career preferences can be formed earlier. Hence, by providing insights on the drivers of girls’ aspirations when they may be making choices about upper secondary and tertiary education, this study helps understand the reasons for lower participation of women in the STEM sector and what policy initiatives can drive up girl’s aspirations in STEM and ICT occupations.

Un résumé analytique en français est disponible au téléchargement (pdf, 14 pages).

(pdf, 110 pages)

Télécharger le document :  https://op.europa.eu/.../b2a7fea8-da13-11eb-895a-01aa75ed71a1

---

mot(s) clé(s) :  genre, sciences