Over one million women now in STEM occupations but still account for 29% of STEM workforce

The latest research from the IET shows that the most prevalent reasons as to why there is such a disparity in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) is that women are not encouraged to think about STEM careers in school (45%) and women get put off by how male dominated the industry is (32%).

Nearly a quarter of UK adults think there needs to be more encouragement from when girls are young for them to pursue a career in STEM, and almost a third think men and women are equally encouraged into careers in STEM.

A third of people working in STEM believe that not enough progress has been made in reducing gender-based discrimination in the workplace, and fewer than half (48%) think it is possible to achieve gender diversity in these careers.

During the survey, when asked to name a woman - past or present - in STEM, only 8% could name any women who have made significant contributions to STEM fields.

The IET’s YWE Awards are one of the initiatives looking to change this, by celebrating women working in modern engineering to help eliminate the perception that engineering is predominantly a career for men. As well as highlighting engineering talent, the awards seek to find role models who can help address the UK science and engineering skills crisis by promoting engineering careers to more girls and women. Just 16.5% of those working in engineering occupations are women (source: Engineering UK).

IET Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and WISE Managing Director, Dr Laura Norton said: “The number of women in STEM occupations has doubled to over a million in the past decade thanks to the hard work of organisations like the IET and initiatives such as the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards – but there is still a long way to go to reach gender parity.

“Our awards shine a spotlight on the incredible women up and down the country who are leading the change in breaking the stereotype and engineering a better world for us all. They provide real-life role models for younger generations to encourage greater diversity within the industry.

“We have a responsibility and opportunity to eliminate the damaging and misconceived stereotypes that currently threaten our industry. So, it’s vital that we champion engineering careers to the next generation and show them just how exciting, creative and life-changing working in this sector can be.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The survey was carried out by Opinion Matters on behalf of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) among 2,001 UK adults between 01/03/2024 – 04/03/2024. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

* Women make up 29% of the current STEM workforce (gov.uk)

* Over one million women now work in STEM occupations (WISE campaign)

List of statistics

Do you currently work in STEM?

Yes	10.54%
No, but I am planning to	12.59%
No, and I do not plan to	76.86%

 

Why, if any reason, did you not pursue a career in STEM after your studies? (Tick all that apply)

Found a different interest to pursue as a career	30.83%
Lack of opportunities	24.17%
No particular reason	17.50%
Unsuccessful when applying for roles	11.67%
Concerns about work-life balance	11.67%
Concerns about job stability or future prospects	10.00%
Cultural or societal barriers	9.17%
Felt it was too male dominated	7.50%
Was not encouraged to take a role in STEM	6.67%

 

What, if anything, do you think the benefits would be to working in STEM? (Tick all that apply)

I don't think there are any benefits to working in STEM	35.63%
Doing an interesting job	26.24%
Better pay	24.59%
Having good career progression	21.99%
Making a difference to people's lives	20.14%
Having work that challenges you	19.59%
Contributing to the world	18.04%
Solving some of the global challenges we as a society face	16.29%
Better opportunities to travel	11.54%

 

Which of the following statements most resonates with you? (Tick one)

Men and women are equally encouraged into STEM careers	29.64%
Men are encouraged into STEM careers more than women	15.74%
Woman are encouraged into STEM careers more than men	8.20%
None of the above / Unsure	46.43%

 

Which, if any, of the following statements do you agree with? (Tick all that apply)

Engineering is for everyone	23.14%
I would encourage a son and a daughter to pursue a career in STEM an equal amount	14.64%
If I had the skills and capability, I would like to be working in STEM	13.99%
We are still working towards better gender representation in STEM careers	12.34%
I would encourage my child to pursue a career in STEM	10.99%
We have equal gender representation in STEM careers now	10.79%
I am jealous of people working in STEM careers	3.60%
I think men are better suited to STEM roles than women	3.15%
I think women are better suited to STEM roles than men	3.15%
I would encourage a son to pursue a career in STEM more than a daughter	2.85%
I would encourage a daughter to pursue a career in STEM more than a son	1.55%
None of the above	41.28%

 

Do you think it is possible to achieve gender diversity in STEM careers?

Yes	48.03%
No	13.39%
Don't know	38.58%

 

In your opinion, what, if anything, needs to change for women to pursue a career in STEM? (Tick all that apply)

I don't think anything needs to change	34.28%
There needs to be encouragement from when girls are young	23.99%
There needs to be better careers support and advice in schools	22.14%
Eliminate the gender pay gap in STEM	21.34%
More visible role models	19.89%
They need to make a career in STEM more attractive to women and girls	19.09%
STEM companies need to recruit more women to STEM roles	15.79%
Better pay	14.49%
Less male dominated environment	13.29%
Better benefits	12.89%

 

Can you name any women who have made significant contributions to STEM fields?

Yes, please specify	8.35%
No	59.67%
Not sure	31.98%

 

You currently work in STEM, have you ever witnessed or experienced any gender-based discrimination in your workplace?

Yes	36.97%
No	48.82%
Don't know	11.37%
Prefer not to say	1.90%
I do not currently work	0.95%

 

You currently work in STEM, do you think enough progress has been made in reducing gender-based discrimination in your workplace?

Yes	61.61%
No	33.28%
Don't know	4.16%
I do not currently work	0.95%

 

You currently work in STEM, do you think women are supported in your workplace?

Yes	83.41%
No	15.64%
I do not currently work	0.95%

 

Why, if any reason, do you think women don't pursue careers in STEM as much as men? (Tick all that apply)

They are not encouraged to think about STEM careers in school	45.31%
They get put off by how male dominated the industry is	32.63%
They think it's just for men/boys	31.25%
They get treated poorly	15.63%
They don't enjoy STEM subjects as much in school	25.00%
They are not aware of modern-day role models to look up to in this sector	26.56%
They face too many barriers to progress	28.13%
They want something with more flexibility	15.63%
It's too competitive	12.50%
I'm not sure	9.48%
No particular reason	3.13%

 

About the IET

• We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world.
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