Why confidence matters: The hidden barrier for women in STEM

Abstract

"Despite strong educational achievements, women in Germany remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers – an imbalance that fuels the gender pay gap, as these fields tend to offer higher wages. Beyond structural barriers, psychological factors such as confidence play a crucial role in shaping educational and labour market choices. Research suggests that gender differences in confidence help explain persistent inequalities, though these confidence gaps vary across contexts and domains. DOI: 10.4872.IAB.FOO.20260805.01" (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Hecker, B. & Yükselen Saif, I. (2026): Why confidence matters: The hidden barrier for women in STEM. In: IAB-Forum No. 05.08.2026. DOI:10.4872.IAB.FOO.20260805.01