The ABC of Gender Equality in Education: Aptitude, behaviour, confidence

This OECD report explores emerging gender gaps in education. Together with the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), this report looks at underachievement in boys, where 15-year-old boys are more likely than girls of the same age to be low achievers, and lack of self-confidence expressed among girls in subjects such as science and mathematics.

The report explores how these trends can impact students’ futures, especially their employment prospects. Information is also provided on how parents and teachers can help to give both boys and girls equal support and encouragement in all their schoolwork. Drawing from data that shows boys and girls performing equally across all school areas in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Taipei, the study emphasizes that gender gaps in school performance are not determined by innate differences in ability.