Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are increasingly recognised as critical drivers of economic competitiveness, innovation and sustainable growth in the European Union (EU). A robust STEM workforce is essential in order to address key societal challenges including labour shortages, skill gaps, achieving the goals of the European Green Deal and facilitating the digital transition (European Commission, 2020). Investments in STEM education and careers are, therefore, paramount to securing the EU's future prosperity and global leadership in the 21st century. This report aims to provide evidence-based insights to guide EU policies aimed at increasing participation in STEM. The report draws upon a wide range of international research while prioritising findings that originate from (or are relevant to) the EU context. To that end, this investigation will first seek to identify the pivotal factors that influence decisions to pursue STEM education, across individual, social and institutional levels.

While access to higher education is getting a lot of attention regarding equity of educational opportunities and inclusion, the challenges related to completion of studies are less studied. We conc...

Despite its crucial role in students' daily lives, commuting time remains an underexplored dimension in higher education research. To address this gap, this study focuses on challenges that student...

Workshop on the Economics of Education 2025