Gender Gap in Higher Education: Statistics and Trends (2026)
The gender gap in higher education has undergone a remarkable reversal over the past three decades. Where women were once significantly underrepresented in university enrolment, women now outnumber men at universities in most English-speaking and European countries. In 2026, the question has shifted from “why do so few women attend university?” to “why are men increasingly disengaged from higher education?” — a change that has profound implications for individual outcomes, labour market patterns, and educational policy.
This data guide presents the most current statistics on the gender gap in higher education — examining enrolment patterns, graduation rates, subject choice, and achievement gaps by gender across multiple countries.
Enrollment Statistics by Gender and Country (2026)
| Country | Female % of Undergrads | Male % of Undergrads | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 57% | 43% | HESA 2024 |
| United States | 60% | 40% | NCES 2024 |
| Australia | 58% | 42% | TEQSA 2024 |
| Canada | 59% | 41% | StatCan 2024 |
| Germany | 52% | 48% | DZHW 2024 |
| OECD Average | 55% | 45% | OECD Education at a Glance 2024 |
Graduation and Completion Rates by Gender
The gender gap in enrolment is matched by a gap in graduation rates. Women consistently show higher degree completion rates than men across most countries and disciplines:
- UK: 82% of female undergraduates complete their degree within five years of entry, compared to 76% of male undergraduates (HESA 2024)
- US: Women’s six-year bachelor’s degree completion rate: 67%; men’s: 59% (NCES 2024)
- Australia: Female completion rate advantage: approximately 8 percentage points across all institutions (TEQSA 2023)
Subject Choice Gender Gaps
| Subject Area | Female % (UK, 2024) | Male % (UK, 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing and Midwifery | 88% | 12% |
| Education | 77% | 23% |
| Computer Science | 22% | 78% |
| Engineering | 20% | 80% |
| Medicine | 60% | 40% |
| Law | 60% | 40% |
| Psychology | 79% | 21% |
These patterns are broadly consistent across English-speaking countries, though the exact percentages differ. The gender gap in STEM is particularly pronounced in computer science and engineering. In medicine and law — once male-dominated — women now constitute the majority. The subject gap has significant implications for lifetime earnings, as male-dominated fields (engineering, computer science) command higher average salaries.
Academic Achievement by Gender
Women consistently achieve higher grades and are more likely to attain the top degree classifications:
- UK (2024): 48% of female graduates achieved a First Class degree, compared to 40% of male graduates
- US: Women’s average undergraduate GPA is approximately 0.1–0.2 points higher than men’s across all institutions
- Women are more likely to complete postgraduate study and achieve higher postgraduate grades
For students at any gender seeking academic support, Tesify’s AI writing platform provides equal access to high-quality academic writing assistance. Supporting students across multiple languages, Tesify is also available to students writing in French and Portuguese.
Postgraduate Education Gender Data
At postgraduate level, the picture becomes more complex:
- At taught master’s level, women continue to outnumber men in most countries (UK: ~57% female)
- At PhD level, near parity has been achieved in many disciplines (UK overall: ~51% female PhD students in 2024)
- In senior academic positions (professorship), men continue to dominate significantly: only 29% of UK professors are women (HESA 2024)
- The “leaky pipeline” — where women are progressively underrepresented at each successive level of academic seniority — remains a significant structural issue
Understanding Male Disengagement from Higher Education
The growing gap in male university participation has attracted significant research attention. Contributing factors identified in the literature include:
- Earlier entry into the labour market through apprenticeships and vocational training
- Cultural factors associating higher education with femininity in some subcultures
- Lower average reading and writing attainment among boys at school level (a consistent predictor of university participation)
- Return on investment perceptions — particularly concerns about debt relative to earnings in male-dominated vocational fields
- Mental health and engagement challenges that disproportionately affect young men
AI tools that make academic writing more accessible may have particular value for male students who struggle with writing-intensive study — similar to how AI has democratised access to professional tools in fields like content creation and marketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do women outnumber men at university in 2026?
Yes. In most English-speaking countries, women outnumber men at university. In the UK, women account for approximately 57% of undergraduates; in the US, approximately 60%; in Australia, approximately 58%. This reversal of the historical gender gap in higher education enrolment is one of the most significant shifts in educational statistics of the past three decades. Women also have higher completion rates and achieve better average degree classifications than men.
Are there still gender gaps in university subjects?
Yes, significant gender gaps persist in subject choice. Women dominate nursing, education, psychology, and social work; men dominate engineering, computer science, and physical sciences. The gender gap in STEM subjects is a well-documented policy concern in many countries. Medicine and law, once male-dominated, now have female majorities. The subject gap has earnings implications, as male-dominated STEM fields typically offer higher starting salaries.
Why are men less likely to attend university than women?
Multiple factors contribute. Boys consistently show lower reading and writing attainment in school, which predicts lower university participation. Some young men enter the labour market directly through vocational training or apprenticeships. Cultural factors and return on investment concerns (especially around student debt versus earnings in vocational trades) also play a role. Mental health challenges and engagement difficulties in secondary school also disproportionately affect young men’s transition to higher education.
Do women achieve higher grades than men at university?
On average, yes. In the UK, women are more likely to achieve First Class and 2:1 degrees than men. In the US, women’s average undergraduate GPA is consistently 0.1–0.2 points higher than men’s. Women also have higher completion rates and are more likely to pursue postgraduate study. These gaps persist after controlling for subject choice, though they vary in magnitude across disciplines.
Are women underrepresented in academic professorships?
Yes, significantly. Despite women constituting the majority of undergraduates and approaching parity at PhD level, only 29% of UK professors are women (HESA 2024). This “leaky pipeline” — where women are progressively underrepresented at each level of academic seniority — is a consistent finding across OECD countries. Progress has been made: the percentage of female professors in the UK has risen from 19% in 2010 to 29% in 2024, but parity remains distant.
Academic Support for Every Student
Whether you’re a student from any background, country, or discipline, Tesify provides AI-powered academic writing support designed to help you succeed. From thesis structure to citation management, Tesify helps you write with confidence.
Leave a Reply