The Decibel Should we worry about the gender gap at university?
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Sep 5, 2025 Joe Friesen, post-secondary reporter for The Globe and Mail, explores the striking gender gap in universities, where women currently outnumber men significantly. He delves into the reasons behind young men's declining enrollment and highlights the implications on classroom dynamics and societal outcomes. Friesen discusses the challenges graduates face in an uncertain job market and emphasizes the need for early interventions to support male students. As this trend continues, what does it mean for future generations?
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Women Driving University Growth
- Women have increased university attendance faster than men, creating a roughly 60/40 female-to-male split across Canada.
- Men’s university enrollment rose more slowly, so the gap reflects differential growth not displacement.
Faculty Mix Shapes Campus Gender Balance
- Enrollment varies widely by faculty, with STEM, business and engineering skewing male and humanities skewing female.
- Some programs can be as high as 75% male or 75% female, so campus balance depends on field mix.
Colleges And International Students Shift The Balance
- Colleges also skew female, though less extremely than universities, with about 55–58% women.
- International student cohorts often tilt male, which partially offsets domestic gender imbalances.