Of those who began to study at universities and institutes of higher education at age 25 in the 2006/2007 academic year, half were women and one-third were men. This is revealed in the new version of the booklet "Women and Men in Sweden 2008”.
"Women and Men in Sweden 2008" exposes the access of women and men to political, economic and democratic rights in society.
Gender equality has progressed since the 1970s
Men were over-represented in all parliamentary committees during the 1970s.
In May 2008 the distribution of the sexes was even. The distribution of the sexes is defined as even when there is a 40-60 percent distribution of each sex.
Women and men have also become closer regarding participation in the labour force. Last year 81 percent of women and 87 percent of men were in the labour force. The corresponding proportions in 1970 were 60 and 90 percent respectively.
Fathers of small children have become somewhat better at taking parental benefits. In 1974 when parental insurance was introduced, no fathers took these benefits while in 2007 the corresponding figure was 21 percent of fathers.
Sexual segregation remains in upper secondary school and universities
In the 1971/72 academic year 12 percent of girls and 14 percent of boys graduated from programmes with an even sex distribution. The corresponding figure in 2006/2007 was 30 percent for boys and girls alike.
Sexual segregation remains on labour market
Most women and men still work in segregated occupations with an uneven distribution of the sexes. This applies to 78 percent of women and 85 percent of men.
Women are predominant in the area of taking responsibility for children: 96 percent of preschool teachers, 94 percent of child-care workers, 90 percent of leaders in preschool and 99.5 percent of family daycare workers are women.
Pay differences remain
Occupations where women are predominant have lower pay than those where men are predominant.
77 percent of managers in the private sector were men in 2006
That same year the proportion of male managers was 42 percent in the public sector.
Women and men are managers in different occupational areas
The most male-dominated group of managers is found in the public service companies, followed by privately owned limited companies and other private companies. For women, the largest percentage is found within municipal, county council and government administration. More female managers are found in publicly owned companies than in private companies.
Men are over-represented for all types of crime
Concerning persons found guilty of crime, men account for 88 percent of crimes against the state, 60 percent against the public, 70 percent wealth crime, 89 percent personally related crime, 99 percent sexual crime of which 100 percent rape.
New statistics in this year's edition
This year's edition includes a new chapter on gender equality among girls and boys. Statistics here show that girls have mental and somatic disorders more so than boys of the same age.
Women and men in the military
Men are over-represented in all occupations in the military except civilian employees with 40 percent women and 60 percent men.
Reduced mental well-being
Reduced mental well-being is more common among women in nearly all age groups, regardless of level of education.
Subjected to crime at different crime scenes
Men are more often subjected to assault in a public place while women are more often subjected to crime at work/school and in the home.