As countries get richer and better run, the number of women choosing STEM degrees actually starts to drop.
SSRN · March 17, 2026 · 6427301
The Takeaway
In Kazakhstan, researchers found that while GDP, internet access, and women's employment rose over a decade, female STEM enrollment dropped from 38% to 27%. This supports the 'Gender Equality Paradox,' where increased prosperity seems to allow individuals to move toward gender-stereotypical career paths rather than away from them.
From the abstract
This study investigates the impact of improved living standards on women's enrollment in STEM majors at universities in a rapidly developing economy in Central Asia. The analysis used administrative data of 442,336 STEM students enrolled between 2012 and 2022. A linear regression model revealed a significant negative trend, with the proportion of women declining from 38% in 2012 to 27% in 2022, with p<0.001. The model has an R-squared value of 0.96, and the trend's significance was con