A recent report from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reveals a steady, though uneven, progress in gender representation within Germany’s university professorships. As of year-end 2024, women comprised 30% of the 52,100 full-time professors at German higher education institutions – a significant increase from the mere 14% recorded in 2004. This doubling of female representation over two decades also marks a rise from 22% in 2014 and a slight improvement over the 29% figure from the previous year.
However, the data paints a complex picture, underlining persistent structural inequalities within the academic system. While the overall numbers reflect positive momentum, stark variations exist across disciplinary fields. The humanities, with 44% female representation and the arts, with 39%, are leading the way. Conversely, engineering fields demonstrate the most significant deficit, with women holding only 17% of professorships. This disparity highlights a potential bias in hiring practices and leadership opportunities within traditionally male-dominated disciplines.
Crucially, the report underscores a concerning phenomenon: the significant decline in female representation as careers progress. The initial stages of higher education reveal a markedly different landscape. Women constituted a majority – 52% – of those embarking on university studies in the winter semester of 2024/2025 and a similarly dominant 53% of those completing their studies (excluding doctoral degrees). This pattern continues at subsequent stages, with 46% of women attaining doctoral degrees and a further drop to just 36% for habilitations, the recognition of teaching competency – a critical step towards a professorial appointment.
The persistent attrition of women from academic pathways raises critical questions. While initiatives promoting gender equality exist, their effectiveness is clearly not translating into equitable representation at the highest echelons of academia. The data suggests a systemic issue, potentially linked to factors such as unconscious bias in recruitment, challenges in balancing work and family commitments and a lack of supportive mentorship for female academics. Further investigation and targeted interventions are required to bridge this disheartening gap and ensure that the promise of a more inclusive and diverse academic community is fully realized.