Women accounted for 41 per cent of scientists and engineers across the European Union in 2025, according to data released by Eurostat on November 10.

The EU had 20.2 million people employed as scientists and engineers during the year, of whom 8.2 million were women. The figures cover professionals working in science and engineering, health, and information and communication technology occupations.

At the regional level, France’s Île-de-France recorded the highest number of female scientists and engineers among EU regions classified under the NUTS 1 system. The region had 336,300 women working in these fields, representing 38 per cent of its total scientists and engineers.

Germany’s Nordrhein-Westfalen recorded 281,400 women, while Bayern had 271,100. Spain’s Este region recorded 279,400 women, with women accounting for 46 per cent of its scientists and engineers.

The Netherlands’ West-Nederland had 271,600 women in these occupations, representing 40 per cent. Portugal’s Continente region recorded 265,100, with a female share of 46 per cent.

Women represented more than half of all scientists and engineers in 10 EU regions. Four of these regions were in Spain, two in Portugal and one in Greece. The remaining regions were in Poland, Sweden and France’s outermost territories.

Eurostat defines scientists and engineers as professionals working in science and engineering, health, or information and communication technology roles. The classification includes workers with tertiary education as well as those employed in occupations that normally require equivalent qualifications.

The data forms part of the 2026 edition of Eurostat’s regional yearbook and provides a regional breakdown of women’s participation in scientific and technical occupations across the EU.