In many developed countries, higher education has historically favored male participation. However, research suggests that Thailand has made significant progress in narrowing the gender gap since the late 1980s, particularly through the expansion of secondary education in rural areas. In recent years, female students have consistently outnumbered their male counterparts in higher education enrollment. This shift holds important implications for the future labor force, where advanced skills are increasingly in demand. This paper investigates whether Thai women continue to outpace men in university enrollment and how this trend varies across academic disciplines, using data from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation from 2009 to 2023. The findings reveal that gender balance differs by field, with women outnumbering men in all areas except engineering. These patterns highlight the need to explore not only institutional factors but also the cultural and behavioral dynamics shaping educational choices. We recommend further research into parental expectations, school environments, and teacher attitudes to gain a deeper understanding of these disparities.

Authors:
Pimprapa Yodtomorn, Ibaraki Christian University, Japan
Katsunori Kaneko, Osaka Metropolitan University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Pimprapa Yodtomorn is currently a lecturer of College of Business Administration, Ibaraki Christian University, Japan. Her research interest includes human capital and social capitalin Thailand and other regions during the industrial development.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/pimprapa-yodtomorn-074491a8

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