The EU science and technology sector has experienced steady growth over the past decade, with women well represented in this field, according to Eurostat data from 2023. In this year, the workforce in this sector increased by almost 3%, continuing a trend of consistent growth. Eurostat reported that 78.3 million people were employed in science and technology in the EU in 2023, with women making up 52% of this workforce.
In recent years, the number of people employed in science and technology has risen by 25% in the EU, with individuals aged 15-75 whose work requires a high level of professional or technical knowledge in physical and life sciences, as well as social sciences and humanities being considered part of this sector. Despite the increase in employment opportunities, there are still disparities when it comes to gender representation. Women make up only 41% of this population compared to 59% men.
While Malta had the lowest representation of women in science and technology at 45%, Latvia and Lithuania had the highest rates at 63%. However, overall progress has been made towards gender equality within this field. The number of women scientists and engineers grew from 5.1 million in 2012 to 7.7 million in 2023, marking a remarkable increase of 50%. This is an encouraging sign for future generations of female scientists and engineers who will continue to contribute to advancements within their respective fields.
