The poster presents the latest statistics on French Women Engineers in the year 2000. The data is based on the 14th national survey organised by the National Council of French Engineers and Scientists. The data presents the numbers and specialities of Women Engineers recently graduated from the French Engineering Schools. The companies employing women engineers as well as their position, activities, pay and family life are reviewed. More comprehensive data in english can be requested through the FI e-mail.

1. WOMEN IN ENGINEERING SCHOOLS

In 2000, there were 23% of women in French Engineering Schools, which represents a steady increase over the previous years (19% in 1991, less than 5% in 1972). They are favoring chemistry or agronomy rather than mechanics or computing.

2.WOMEN ENGINEERS IN ACTIVITY

In 2000, from the 493,000 engineers from French Engineering Schools, 16% were women (against 13% in 1995).

ECONOMIC SECTORS

Compared to men engineers, women engineers are present :
- more in computing, civil services or food industry,
- more in education, although always in lesser numbers,
- less in industry, technical consultancy companies and civil works.

HIERARCHICAL POSITION

The lower position of Women Engineers is not a matter of age, as evidenced in Figure 3 which gives the figures for 40 to 50 years old Engineers.

INEQUALITY ALSO IN PAY

The pay gap between Women and Men Engineers has not reduced in the last decade.

FAMILY LIFE OF WOMEN ENGINEERS

Women engineers older than 40 years are more often living alone compared to men engineers. But the reverse is true for women engineers below 30 years old.

Women engineers tend to have less children than men engineers. 

Survey 2003

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