noun
flight from science; trend away from science
Refers to the social phenomenon of young people losing interest in or avoiding science and technology fields, especially in education and career choices.
近年、若者の理系離れが問題になっている。
In recent years, the flight of young people from science has become a problem.
理系離れを食い止めるために、科学の楽しさを伝えるイベントが開かれた。
To stop the trend away from science, an event was held to convey the fun of science.
Similar meaning but often refers specifically to avoidance of school science subjects, while 理系離れ covers broader disengagement from science and engineering fields.
Compound of 理系 (rikei, 'science-related fields') and 離れ (banare, 'separation, moving away from').