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Comparative Advantage and Gender Gap in STEM

Author

Listed:
  • Goulas, Sofoklis

    (Yale University)

  • Griselda, Silvia

    (e61 Institution)

  • Megalokonomou, Rigissa

    (Monash University)

Abstract

Why are females compared to males both more likely to have strong STEM-related performance and less likely to study STEM later on? We exploit random assignment of students to classrooms in Greece to identify the impact of comparative advantage in STEM relative to non-STEM subjects on STEM specialization decisions. We approximate comparative STEM advantage using the within-classroom ranking of the ratio of early-high school performance in STEM over non-STEM subjects. We find that females who are assigned to classroom peers among which they have a higher comparative STEM advantage are more likely to choose a STEM school track and apply to a STEM degree. Comparative STEM advantage appears irrelevant for males. Our results suggest that comparative STEM advantage explains at least 12% of the under-representation of qualified females in the earliest instance of STEM specialization. We discuss the mechanisms that amplify the role of comparative STEM advantage in STEM study.

Suggested Citation

  • Goulas, Sofoklis & Griselda, Silvia & Megalokonomou, Rigissa, 2020. "Comparative Advantage and Gender Gap in STEM," IZA Discussion Papers 13313, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13313
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    Cited by:

    1. Elizabeth Dhuey & A. Abigail Payne & Justin Smith, 2025. "The Long-Term Effects of Rank in Elementary School," CESifo Working Paper Series 12227, CESifo.
    2. Goulas, Sofoklis & Megalokonomou, Rigissa, 2020. "School attendance during a pandemic," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    3. Goulas, Sofoklis & Griselda, Silvia & Megalokonomou, Rigissa, 2023. "Compulsory class attendance versus autonomy," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 935-981.
    4. Judith M. Delaney & Paul J. Devereux, 2021. "Gender and Educational Achievement: Stylized Facts and Causal Evidence," Working Papers 202103, School of Economics, University College Dublin.
    5. Goulas, Sofoklis & Megalokonomou, Rigissa, 2021. "Knowing who you actually are: The effect of feedback on short- and longer-term outcomes," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 589-615.
    6. Borgonovi, Francesca & Choi, Alvaro & Paccagnella, Marco, 2021. "The evolution of gender gaps in numeracy and literacy between childhood and young adulthood," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    7. Eleni Yitbarek & Nicky Nicholls & Michelle Pleace, 2025. "Do opinions on fair salaries vary with gender in South Africa?," ERSA Working Paper Series, Economic Research Southern Africa, vol. 0.
    8. Megalokonomou, Rigissa & Silva-Goncalves, Juliana & van Veldhuizen, Roel, 2025. "Gender Differences in Self-Promotion and Career Advice," Working Papers 2025:11, Lund University, Department of Economics.
    9. Rigissa Megalokonomou & Sofoklis Goulas & Tommaso Sartori, 2025. "All Eyes on the Nerd? The Unequal Distribution of Teachers' Attention," RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series 25144, ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin (RFBerlin).
    10. Delaney, Judith & Devereux, Paul J., 2022. "Rank Effects in Education: What do we know so far?," CEPR Discussion Papers 17090, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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