More women in Germany are choosing to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
In the 2024 academic year, women accounted for 36% of first-year students enrolled in STEM subjects, up from 31% a decade earlier.
While men still form the majority, the steady increase points to a gradual shift in study preferences among young women entering higher education.
Overall interest in STEM subjects also rose. About 39% of all first-year university students in Germany chose a STEM field in 2024, representing nearly 318,800 students.
Computer science remained the most popular choice, followed by mechanical engineering and business informatics. The total number of first-year STEM students increased by 3% compared with the previous academic year, outpacing overall growth in university enrolments.
Despite the improvement, data show that gender representation varies sharply across STEM disciplines.
Fields such as interior design recorded a very high female share at 87%, while traditional technical subjects such as vehicle technology continued to attract far fewer women, with a female participation rate of just 10%.
The data also highlight a widening contrast between higher education and vocational training.
While more women are entering STEM degree programmes, participation remains much lower in technical apprenticeships.
In 2024, more than 167,700 people began vocational training in STEM-related professions, but women accounted for only 12% of new trainees. This proportion has changed little over the past decade.
Automotive mechatronics technician was the most popular STEM training occupation, followed by IT specialist and electronics technician.
These professions remain overwhelmingly male-dominated, underscoring the persistent gender imbalance in hands-on technical roles.
While the number of new STEM trainees has increased compared with ten years ago, the overall number of trainees across all fields has declined, suggesting that STEM professions are becoming increasingly important in Germany’s shrinking training market.
The figures suggest that progress in attracting women to STEM education has been strongest at universities, while structural barriers may still exist in vocational pathways and certain technical occupations.
Experts have long pointed to factors such as workplace culture, career expectations and early education choices as influences on gender participation in STEM.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri
