This paper proposes a theoretical analysis and an empirical investigation on simultaneous choices of an enrolment and discipline field, comparing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to non-STEM fields, to enlighten economic variables influencing students. The cross-country analysis of 35 countries in the period 2013–2016 tries to disentangle factors shifting students from one choice to another and why countries differ in directing students toward specific disciplines. The results show that expenditures in R&D convince more students to choose STEM disciplines, whereas population density and the expected years of schooling have a negative impact on the percentage of STEM enrolments. As a whole, it appears that STEM enrolments are chosen for investment motives, whereas non-STEM enrolments are less guided by economic factors and more dependent on a consumption effect.

中文翻译：

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成为 STEM 或不成为 STEM：为什么国家不同？

本文提出了对同时选择招生和学科领域的理论分析和实证调查，将科学、技术、工程和数学 (STEM) 与非 STEM 领域进行比较，以启发影响学生的经济变量。2013 年至 2016 年期间对 35 个国家的跨国分析试图解开将学生从一种选择转移到另一种选择的因素，以及为什么各国在引导学生学习特定学科方面存在差异。结果表明，研发支出说服更多学生选择 STEM 学科，而人口密度和预期受教育年限对 STEM 入学率有负面影响。总的来说，选择 STEM 招生是出于投资动机，