Italy

In 2022, the share of women scientists and engineers in research occupations in Italy was 36.4%, according to UNESCO UIS, while Elsevier reported 46.4% of published research was led by women. Although women engineering scholars represent over one-third of researchers in Italy, their research impact is less than that of their male counterparts.

According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), women make up a smaller proportion of students entering, enrolled in, and graduating from engineering, manufacturing, and construction (EMC) programs when compared to men.

Understanding students’ academic preparation in math and science is critical to ensuring success in STEM subjects. Scores from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) allow analysis of the performance of boys and girls across various grades in Italy's educational system. The PISA is a series of reports comparing 15-year-olds academic performance across subjects and countries. The TIMSS measures 4th and 8th grades math and science achievement across 64 countries.