Universities Increasingly Dominated by Women, Indonesia Surpasses Global Average
Over the last 25 years, the world has faced an interesting phenomenon: the balance of higher education is shifting towards women. After the participation rates of women and men in higher education were almost equal around the year 2000, women now have a university enrolment rate that is 12% higher globally.
Latest data from the World Bank and the UNESCO Institute for Statistics shows that female participation in higher education is higher than that of males in 130 countries. This data uses the most recent available figures for each country, covering the 2022-2025 period.
Women Excel in the Majority of Countries
The figures used represent the gross enrolment ratio (GER), meaning this indicator does not only reflect students within the typical university age group. Consequently, differences in age at entry to university or the duration of study may also influence the gap between women and men.
The gap in higher education participation is quite wide in several countries. Sweden recorded a female participation rate 40% higher than males. Furthermore, Brazil recorded a difference of 36%, the United States 32%, and Australia 31%.
In Indonesia, the female participation rate in higher education was recorded at 20% higher than males. This figure is above the global average, which stands at 12%. According to the East Asia Forum, the high participation of women in Indonesian higher education is partly related to a higher number of young men dropping out of school compared to women.
On the other hand, Indonesian women also record better academic achievements, including in literacy, science, and mathematics, which contributes to their high participation in higher education levels.
In some countries, the gap is extremely large. Gambia recorded a difference of 83%, followed by Sint Maarten at 78% and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at 68%. According to the United Nations (UN), in Gambia, one factor related to high female participation is that more young men are leaving school to seek income in the informal sector. Educational policies also encourage female participation.
Japan and South Korea are Exceptions
A different pattern is observed in East Asia. Women have higher higher education participation rates than men in China by 14%, Hong Kong by 9%, and Singapore by 9%.
However, this trend reverses in Japan and South Korea. In Japan, the male participation rate was recorded as 3% higher than females. Meanwhile, in South Korea, the difference reaches 11%. One factor that may influence South Korea’s figures is the compulsory military service for most eligible men. This period of service can affect the timing of higher education and extend the period of study.
It should be noted that this data uses the gross enrolment ratio, rather than simply comparing the number of male and female students. This indicator can include students outside the typical university age group. Thus, differences in age at entry to university or the duration of study can affect the disparity figures.
More Education Does Not Necessarily Mean Higher Income
Women’s superiority in higher education is also evident in completed education levels. In OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, 55% of women aged 25-34 completed higher education in 2024, compared to 42% of men.
Women are also more likely to complete their degrees. OECD data shows a graduation rate gap that is consistently higher for women, particularly in undergraduate programmes.
However, educational advantages do not automatically lead to higher income. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), the increase in female participation in higher education has been influenced by changing views on education as an investment for career and financial independence since the late 1960s. Changes in social norms and increased job opportunities for women have also been supporting factors.
Even though women’s education levels are now higher, an income gap is still visible. In OECD countries, women aged 25-34 who work full-time throughout the year still earn approximately 17%-18% less than men with the same level of education.