5 charts showing workforce gender gaps

Apr 21, 2023

In its Global Gender Gap Report 2022, the Forum describes gender gaps in the workforce as an “emerging crisis” and identifies a number of areas where urgent action is needed. Image: Pexels/cottonbro studio

Victoria Masterson

Senior Writer, Forum Agenda

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A graph showing the change in gender parity for labour-force participation rate, from 2006.

Women’s participation in the workforce is at its lowest level since 2006. Image: World Economic Forum.

Women absorb a disproportionate amount of unpaid care work compared to men - widening the gender gap. Image: World Economic Forum.

A graph showing business founding rate, by gender.

More women are starting businesses, though they still only receive a fraction of business investment. Image: World Economic Forum.

While hiring more women at the entry level is an important component of closing gender gaps in leadership, it is not fully sufficient. Image: World Economic Forum.

A bar chart showing women's share of time in power as heads of state, 1972-2022.

Women are making big advances in politics, but progress has slowed in some regions. Image: World Economic Forum.

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