Global labor market report highlights gender imbalance in management

A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO), released on November 3, 2026, reveals that women hold only 30.5% of management positions globally. This figure, based on data from thousands of enterprises across 99 countries, highlights a slow pace of progress, with representation having grown from 24% over the past three decades despite women achieving higher levels of education.

Jae-Hee Chang, a senior labor relations expert at the ILO, stated during a press conference in Geneva that while some advancements have been made, there is a "critical imbalance" in the labor market. The organization notes that significant potential remains untapped. The report also identified worrying trends, such as a regression in the implementation of support programs like maternity leave.

To address these structural barriers, the ILO has issued recommendations to the private sector to accelerate equality initiatives. The report emphasizes that beyond social equity, there are strong economic arguments for maximizing the participation of women in leadership roles to ensure long-term workforce productivity.