It’s published
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report, the number of women employed in senior leadership positions has been slower for the third year in a row.
Covering 148 economies, the report states that despite women making up 41.2% of the global workforce, only 28.8% have reached the role of senior leadership.
Between 2015 and 2024, the women’s share of top management rose from 25.7% to 28.1%, but progress has slowed since 2022.
“In many areas, top-level profits outweigh medium-level promotions, putting the sustainability of a balanced talent pipeline at stake. Nonlinear career paths are becoming more common, especially as we experience the industry among women,” the report added.
Overall, the global gender gap has shrunk to 68.8%. This is the biggest improvement since the Covid-19 pandemic. But even at this rate, the perfect parity is still 123 years away, data suggests.
For the 16th consecutive year, Iceland has maintained its position as the world’s most gender equal economy, with 92.6% of the gender gap being closed.
Finland (87.9%), Norway (86.3%), the UK (83.8%) and New Zealand (82.7%) are also in the top five.
AI Skills
Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, said: “The economy, which has made decisive progress towards parity, positions itself for stronger, innovative and more resilient economic progress.”
Exclude women from leadership roles has financial consequences, according to data provided in a report on the 1 billion-member global job website LinkedIn.
At the same time, AI is reshaping the world of work and demanding new skills from business leaders.
LinkedIn data suggests that women are 20% more likely to have a variety of careers. There, they develop skills that mean they are set up on their own to navigate and lead the AI economy.
Sue Duke, global public policy director at LinkedIn, said, “As the global economy changes, AI in particular must empower women to deploy the skills and expertise they have developed in their flexible careers.”
