March 8, 2025

The proportion of women in higher education continues to increase both in the number of students and academics. The accessibility and widespread use of universities strengthens women's presence in academia.

Especially in recent years, the increase in the number of female students is also reflected in the number of female academic staff. Of the 184 thousand academic staff in Türkiye, 86,500 are women. Accordingly, the rate of female academics has increased to 47 percent.

Women's productivity in academia is also reflected in the figures. Women authored 24,186 scientific publications in 2024.

According to the 2024 University Monitoring and Evaluation General Report, 35 percent of professors, 43 percent of associate professors and 48 percent of assistant professors are women at Turkish universities.

The number of female research assistants and female lecturers in academia also draws attention. Women continue to rise in recent years with 55 percent of research assistants and 52 percent of lecturers.

“Türkiye is at a good point in women's access to university”

Erol Özvar, President of the Council of Higher Education, stated that they have made significant progress in women's access to higher education in recent years and said, “Türkiye is at a good point in terms of female students' access to university. With the expansion of higher education in Türkiye, the female schooling rate has surpassed the male schooling rate.”

According to 2024 data, 3 million 873 thousand female and 3 million 457 thousand male students are studying at Turkish universities. Thus, the proportion of women in the number of students enrolled in higher education reached 53 percent.

Women make up 54 percent of those studying at the associate degree level, 52 percent of those studying at the undergraduate level, 50 percent of those studying at the master's level, and 51 percent of those studying at the doctorate level.