Higher or advanced education is essential for the social progress and competitiveness of countries, impacting not only economic growth but also fostering more equitable and sustainable societies. In this sense, it is critical to address the importance of women’s access to higher education, given their influence not only on gender equality but also on a nation’s innovative capacity and growth. However, the current situation in the region, reflected in the data from the Global Social Progress Index (SPI) and its Advanced Education component, shows a diverse and challenging landscape.
The SPI, which considers 170 countries, uses an indicator called “Women with advanced education” that evaluates the proportion of women (adjusted by age) with 12–18 years of education. In this indicator, our countries are positioned globally as follows: Costa Rica at 94, El Salvador at 118, Panama at 57, Guatemala at 135, Honduras at 131, Nicaragua at 125; taking Mexico at 109 as a reference, and the best in Latin America, which is Chile positioned at 49, it is seen that the region is generally lagging. In contrast, our main trading partner, the United States, is in position 5, setting a benchmark for women’s educational inclusion (see Chart 1).
The lag shown by the data is the result of multiple challenges our countries face in their effort to improve access and quality of higher education for women. Among these challenges are cultural and social barriers, marked by gender stereotypes that restrict women’s educational and professional aspirations, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas. In addition, inadequate educational infrastructure and concerns about safety on the way to educational institutions represent additional challenges that discourage active participation of women in tertiary education.
Chart 1. Women with advanced education (position out of 170 countries)
Women with higher education are fundamental pillars for the progress of countries and the well-being of families. Nationally, they contribute significantly to economic development, innovation, and competitiveness, enhancing labor productivity and promoting sustainable economic growth that contributes to poverty reduction.
At the family level, advanced education of women brings profound benefits, including improvements in the health and education of their children, and strengthening their empowerment and autonomy. This empowerment allows women to make more informed decisions about their lives and work, establishing a positive cycle of education and well-being that benefits future generations, a predictor of children’s education is the mother’s education level, so there are also transgenerational benefits.
Looking towards the future, it is essential to recognize that women with advanced education represent a force for economic growth, as their participation in the labor market can significantly enhance the productivity and competitiveness of countries. Thus, efforts to expand access and improve the quality of higher education for women in Latin America represent a strategic investment for the region’s economic and social future. Therefore, it is imperative for countries in the region to intensify efforts to overcome existing obstacles and pave the way towards a society with more women in advanced education.
To do this, we must face this challenge in two ways, as a national priority and as a collective commitment. Thus, it is necessary for governments, educational institutions, businesses, and civil society to work together to overcome these challenges. If these synergies are achieved, then focused policies can be applied, greater investments in education realized, new educational models implemented, more technological solutions incorporated, and a culture promoted that fosters an environment of opportunities where women reach their full potential. In other words, it is to transform our present for a more prosperous future through education.
The Social Progress Imperative develops data-driven tools that measure the true state of our society on issues that matter most — are people healthy and safe, do they live in an inclusive society, do they have access to opportunity, and more. The Social Progress Index measures how well countries and communities convert their resources into social and environmental outcomes that impact people’s lives every day.
Higher or advanced education is essential for the social progress and competitiveness of countries, impacting not only economic growth but also fostering more equitable and sustainable societies. In this sense, it is critical to address the importance of women’s access to higher education, given their influence not only on gender equality but also on a nation’s innovative capacity and growth. However, the current situation in the region, reflected in the data from the Global Social Progress Index (SPI) and its Advanced Education component, shows a diverse and challenging landscape.
The SPI, which considers 170 countries, uses an indicator called “Women with advanced education” that evaluates the proportion of women (adjusted by age) with 12–18 years of education. In this indicator, our countries are positioned globally as follows: Costa Rica at 94, El Salvador at 118, Panama at 57, Guatemala at 135, Honduras at 131, Nicaragua at 125; taking Mexico at 109 as a reference, and the best in Latin America, which is Chile positioned at 49, it is seen that the region is generally lagging. In contrast, our main trading partner, the United States, is in position 5, setting a benchmark for women’s educational inclusion (see Chart 1).
The lag shown by the data is the result of multiple challenges our countries face in their effort to improve access and quality of higher education for women. Among these challenges are cultural and social barriers, marked by gender stereotypes that restrict women’s educational and professional aspirations, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas. In addition, inadequate educational infrastructure and concerns about safety on the way to educational institutions represent additional challenges that discourage active participation of women in tertiary education.
Chart 1. Women with advanced education (position out of 170 countries)
Women with higher education are fundamental pillars for the progress of countries and the well-being of families. Nationally, they contribute significantly to economic development, innovation, and competitiveness, enhancing labor productivity and promoting sustainable economic growth that contributes to poverty reduction.
At the family level, advanced education of women brings profound benefits, including improvements in the health and education of their children, and strengthening their empowerment and autonomy. This empowerment allows women to make more informed decisions about their lives and work, establishing a positive cycle of education and well-being that benefits future generations, a predictor of children’s education is the mother’s education level, so there are also transgenerational benefits.
Looking towards the future, it is essential to recognize that women with advanced education represent a force for economic growth, as their participation in the labor market can significantly enhance the productivity and competitiveness of countries. Thus, efforts to expand access and improve the quality of higher education for women in Latin America represent a strategic investment for the region’s economic and social future. Therefore, it is imperative for countries in the region to intensify efforts to overcome existing obstacles and pave the way towards a society with more women in advanced education.
To do this, we must face this challenge in two ways, as a national priority and as a collective commitment. Thus, it is necessary for governments, educational institutions, businesses, and civil society to work together to overcome these challenges. If these synergies are achieved, then focused policies can be applied, greater investments in education realized, new educational models implemented, more technological solutions incorporated, and a culture promoted that fosters an environment of opportunities where women reach their full potential. In other words, it is to transform our present for a more prosperous future through education.
The Social Progress Imperative develops data-driven tools that measure the true state of our society on issues that matter most — are people healthy and safe, do they live in an inclusive society, do they have access to opportunity, and more. The Social Progress Index measures how well countries and communities convert their resources into social and environmental outcomes that impact people’s lives every day.
