Global Gender Gap Report: Women's hard-won gains 'fragile'

The Global Gender Gap Report 2026, published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday, reveals that gender parity worldwide is closer than ever — standing at 69.2%.

However, the Geneva-based nonprofit warned that full parity may still be 120 years away and that the progress made so far remains "fragile."

The report, which looked at gender parity across workforce participation, education, health and politics in 145 economies, found that women now occupy senior leadership positions in government and business at levels that were rare globally when the index began in 2006.

Yet, while women's presence at the top of politics has grown since the first report, the past decade has seen that trend reverse. The percentage of countries led by women peaked in 2022 and has now fallen back to 2016 levels.

WEF Managing Director Saadia Zahidi warned that while parity is a foundation for growth and competitiveness, it is "not inevitable."

"To accelerate, governments and employers need to learn from the policies that work and apply them faster. A new economy demands a new approach to talent," Zahidi said in a press release to accompany the report.

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The WEF found that women remain underrepresented in roles with the largest economic and political influence. They still hold fewer than a fifth of chief executive officer (CEO) positions, while only one in 10 ministerial roles held by women is considered high influence.