NEWS
Until the 1990s, there were a majority of male students in higher education institutions in the 30 OECD nations. Since then, the percentage of female students has increased dramatically. In 2005, female student enrolments accounted for 60 per cent or greater in Sweden, Norway and Iceland, and the gender gap is expected to increase, as reported by University World News.
The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD report) Higher Education to 2030 (Vol. 1) indicated that female will account for an average of 59% in the 30 developed nations by 2025. In addition, there were ten nations that would have a total of female students of 60% of greater, with 70% in Austria and England.
The only nations that were expected to maintain a majority of male students by 2025 were Japan, Korea and Turkey. If the recent trends continue, there can be nearly twice as many female students as males in Austria, Canada, Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom.
The report stated that is was uncertain about the social and economical impacts the gender equality in the future, but reasoned that it would take decades before a balance is restored.
