
Each year, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report offers a sobering yet insightful snapshot of global progress towards gender equality. This year’s report—tracking data across 146 countries—shows that while advancements have been made, much work remains. Here’s what you need to know:
The Current State of Gender Parity
In 2024, 68.5% of the global gender gap has been closed. This marks only a 0.1% improvement from last year, a reminder that progress is moving at a glacial pace. Based on current trends, it will take 134 years to achieve full global gender parity—underscoring the need for action in both government and business spheres.
By category, the global gender gap breaks down as follows:
- Health and Survival: 96% closed (the most equitable category).
- Educational Attainment: 94.9% closed, but challenges remain in some regions.
- Economic Participation and Opportunity: 60.5% closed. Women are underrepresented in the workforce, especially in senior and technical roles.
- Political Empowerment: Just 22.5% closed. Women remain severely underrepresented in government leadership globally.
Progress Across the Globe
The report reveals that no country has achieved full gender parity, though some nations have made significant strides. Iceland continues to lead, closing 93.5% of its gender gap, followed by Finland, Norway, New Zealand, and Sweden.
In contrast, the regions lagging furthest behind are the Middle East and North Africa (61.7%) and Southern Asia (63.7%), with significant disparities in workforce participation and political representation.
Economic Participation: The Slowest Area of Progress
Despite gains in some areas, economic parity remains one of the biggest challenges. Women account for only 42% of the global workforce and hold just 31.7% of senior leadership roles. Additionally:
- The largest gaps are seen in technical and STEM-based industries, where women are significantly underrepresented.
- LinkedIn data shows women are less likely than men to reach senior leadership positions, with a 21.5% drop-off in representation between entry-level and C-suite roles.
The report emphasises the importance of investing in skilling programmes to prepare women for future job markets, particularly in AI, technology, and green industries.
Why Gender Parity Matters
Achieving gender parity isn’t just a social imperative—it’s an economic one. Studies consistently show that diverse and inclusive workforces drive:
- Higher innovation.
- Improved financial performance.
- Greater adaptability in times of change.
As industries navigate transformations like sustainability and technology adoption, gender diversity in leadership and technical roles will be key to long-term success.
At Charlotte Stiffell:
The findings of the Global Gender Gap Report resonate deeply with us at Charlotte Stiffell. As a female-owned business with an all-female team, we are proud to contribute to closing the economic participation gap through our work in the sustainable uniform supply industry.
Operating from our own factory in London, we specialise in creating tailored, eco-conscious uniforms for businesses in concierge, front-of-house, and other customer-facing industries. By prioritising sustainability, quality, and inclusivity, we aim to inspire others to:
- Support female-led businesses.
- Champion gender diversity within their organisations.
- Commit to sustainable practices in their operations.
As businesses, we all have a role to play in closing the gender gap and building a more inclusive and equitable future.
Link to full report: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2024/digest/