Looking at the education statistics of recent years, a decline in the academic performance of male students is clearly observed.
Previously, boys were leaders in entrance exams, subject Olympiads, and scientific fields, but now girls have taken a superior position in these indicators.
In recent years, 63% of applicants who scored 600+ points in entrance exams are girls.
According to the PISA 2022 results, girls in Azerbaijan outperform boys by an average of 29 points in reading skills and 17 points in mathematics.
The proportion of girls in higher education institutions was 47% in 2010 and has risen to 56% in 2024.
The percentage of girls participating in scientific articles and student research projects has also doubled.
This trend shows that girls have gained superiority in recent years in terms of motivation, responsibility, and perseverance. They read more, prepare systematically for exams, and actively participate in university and scientific activities.
Conversely, social and psychological pressures on boys, early entry into the labor market, and technological dependencies (games, social media, etc.) have a negative impact on their academic performance.
A similar trend is observed globally as well:
In countries like Finland, Estonia, and Japan, girls’ school achievements, reading, and foreign language skills are 10–15% higher than boys’.
This situation is not just an educational disparity—it is an issue affecting the future social structure of society, the labor market, and scientific potential.
Psychological and pedagogical approaches that strengthen boys' learning motivation, a gender-balanced teaching environment, and interest-based lesson models should be implemented in the education system.
Gender difference in education is actually an indicator of success—but as this difference grows, it poses a danger to the future of a balanced society.
Therefore, the goal should not be the question "Who is stronger?" but rather "How can everyone develop?"
Kamran Əsədov,
education expert
