Nobel Prize statistics make for poor reading for women
Only 5% of the 896 people honoured have been women
Stockholm — The Nobel Prize statistics are dour reading for women, who’ve been awarded only one of every 20 prizes. And while the numbers are slowly improving, the December 10 prize ceremony will be an all-male affair for the second consecutive year. The Nobel Prizes for medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics are awarded in Sweden, and the one for peace in Norway — two pioneering countries in the area of women’s rights who proudly boast of their politics promoting gender equality. While the number of female Nobel laureates has risen in recent decades — from just four between 1901, the first year of the prizes, and 1920 to 19 between 2001 and 2017 — the 48 women crowned over the years represent just 5% of the 896 people honoured, excluding organisations. The statistics vary depending on the discipline: the economics prize has been by far the most unattainable for women. The literature prize remains largely a male domain, while peace does somewhat better.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.