Recent Eurostat findings highlight the pivotal role of tertiary education in addressing longstanding disparities in the European labour market.

According to data released by Eurostat in early 2026, higher education levels are associated with notably smaller differences in employment rates between men and women across the European Union, particularly among adults living in households with children. This development underscores how universities and colleges throughout Europe are contributing to greater gender balance in professional outcomes.

The analysis draws on 2024 labour force survey figures and shows that while parenthood continues to influence employment patterns differently for women and men, the attainment of tertiary qualifications significantly mitigates these effects. Women with higher education qualifications demonstrate employment rates that come much closer to those of their male counterparts compared with lower education groups.

Understanding the broader context of gender dynamics in EU employment

Across the European Union, the overall gender employment gap stood at approximately 10 percentage points in recent years, with men's employment rates around 80-81 percent and women's at 70-71 percent for the 20-64 age group. This gap has narrowed gradually over the past decade but remains a key policy focus for member states and European institutions.

Education emerges as a critical factor. Employment rates rise sharply with educational attainment: individuals with tertiary education enjoy rates near 87 percent, compared with around 75 percent for medium-level qualifications and 58 percent for lower levels. The gender dimension within these figures reveals that the disparity between men and women shrinks considerably at higher education levels.

Women have also achieved higher rates of tertiary attainment than men in the 30-34 age bracket, with the proportion of women exceeding that of men by more than 10 percentage points on average. This reversal in educational outcomes is evident across nearly all member states, though the magnitude varies from a few points in countries like Germany to over 20 points in nations such as Estonia, Latvia and Slovenia.

Detailed breakdown by education level and family responsibilities

When examining households with children, the protective effect of higher education becomes even clearer. For women with low educational attainment, employment rates drop markedly as the number of children increases, leading to gender gaps exceeding 40 percentage points in larger families. Medium education levels show improved overall participation but still feature widening gaps with more children.

In contrast, highly educated women maintain strong employment rates. In households with two children, their employment stood at 88 percent compared with nearly 97 percent for men, producing a gap of just 8.7 percentage points. For families with three or more children, the figures were 81.8 percent for women and 95.4 percent for men, resulting in a 13.6 percentage point difference. These figures represent substantial reductions relative to lower education cohorts.

Even with these improvements, motherhood continues to exert some influence, as highly educated women with children do not fully match male employment levels. Men with children often see higher participation rates, while the pattern reverses for women.

Implications for European universities and colleges

These findings place European higher education institutions at the centre of efforts to promote gender equity in the workforce. Universities across the EU are increasingly recognised not only for delivering academic qualifications but also for shaping long-term labour market trajectories through targeted support programmes.

Many institutions have expanded access initiatives, flexible study options and family-friendly policies that enable women to complete degrees while managing caregiving responsibilities. Such measures align with the observed narrowing of employment gaps and help translate educational gains into sustained professional participation.

Countries with smaller overall gender employment gaps, such as Finland and Lithuania, often feature strong higher education systems that emphasise inclusivity and work-life balance. These national contexts provide models for other member states seeking to leverage tertiary education as a lever for equity.

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Country variations and institutional responses

Disparities persist across the EU. Northern European nations generally report narrower gaps, benefiting from comprehensive social policies and high tertiary enrolment. Southern and some Eastern member states face larger challenges, though progress in female attainment of higher education degrees offers a foundation for improvement.

Leading universities in countries like Ireland, where overall tertiary attainment is high, and the Netherlands have introduced dedicated centres for gender studies, parental support services and mentorship programmes aimed at retaining women in academic and professional pipelines. These efforts complement the statistical trends by addressing both educational access and post-graduation transitions.

Collaborations between institutions, such as those facilitated through European university alliances, are fostering shared best practices in supporting diverse student populations and preparing graduates for equitable labour market entry.

Remaining challenges and the motherhood dimension

Despite the positive association with higher education, gaps do not disappear entirely. Even among tertiary-educated individuals, the presence of children widens disparities, highlighting the need for continued institutional and policy support beyond degree completion.

Universities are responding with expanded childcare facilities on campus, extended parental leave provisions for staff and students, and career development programmes tailored to parents returning to work or study. These initiatives aim to reduce the residual penalties associated with family formation.

Part-time work patterns also differ by education and gender, with highly educated women showing lower reliance on part-time roles compared with lower-educated counterparts, further supporting sustained career progression.

Economic and societal benefits of closing the gap

Narrowing the gender employment gap through higher education yields broad advantages. Higher female participation boosts overall economic output, enhances innovation through diverse perspectives and supports demographic goals by enabling families to balance work and child-rearing.

European policymakers have set targets to halve the gap by 2030. The role of universities in achieving this objective is central, as tertiary qualifications correlate with both higher employment and reduced disparities.

Institutions are also contributing through research on gender dynamics, producing evidence that informs national and EU-level strategies on education, employment and family policy.

Future outlook and strategic priorities for higher education

Looking ahead, European universities are expected to intensify efforts in areas such as flexible learning pathways, targeted recruitment in fields where women remain underrepresented, and partnerships with employers to facilitate smooth transitions into the workforce.

Monitoring progress through ongoing Eurostat data releases will help institutions refine their approaches. Continued investment in support structures for student parents and emphasis on lifelong learning opportunities can further amplify the benefits observed in the latest statistics.

The data affirm that expanding access to and completion of higher education remains one of the most effective tools available to European policymakers and academic leaders for advancing gender equity in employment.

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Actionable steps for universities and stakeholders

University administrators can prioritise audits of family support services, expansion of part-time and online degree options, and integration of gender equity metrics into institutional performance frameworks.

Faculty and researchers are encouraged to incorporate findings on education and employment into curricula and outreach activities, preparing the next generation of graduates for balanced professional lives.

Collaborations with national ministries of education and European bodies can help scale successful models across borders, ensuring that the narrowing of gaps benefits all member states.