Based on the results of our analysis of the latest statistics for European countries, we can say that ladies continued to increase their influence both in politics and in business.

On average, by the end of 2023, in twenty-seven European Union countries, women are more represented in politics than in business.

As average women held  (35.2%) seats in governments (35.2%) and (33.3%) seats in parliaments (33.2%)

In business woman held (33.8%) seats in Boards members  and (22.2%) Executives positions.

‍

Leading countries in the number of women in top positions

Among 27 European countries, the number of women in TOP positions in politics and business at the end of 2023 is about 31%.  A decade ago in 2013, this figure was only 18.8%.

Over the past 10 years, the number of women on average has increased in the positions of Board members by +16.6 percentage points, in Executives +10 percentage points, National government +9.3 percentage points, National parliament +5.9%.

Analyzing data from 12 European Union countries that are leaders in the share of women in top positions in business and politics (above the European average), we can conclude that such high indicators are ensured thanks to the active work of women in National Governments and National Parliaments. Women are still less represented in top positions in business than in politics.

‍

Countries leading in the number of women in politics

Based on the results of 2023, the country’s leading in the number of women in the National government significantly exceed the average for European countries (35.2%). Finland leads by a wide margin (72.4%) of women in the National Government, followed by Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Iceland, and Liechtenstein with very similar figures - 50 percent or more.

At the same time, over the past decade, Estonia (+30.8 percentage points) and Lithuania (+27 percentage points) have increased the most in the share of women in the National Government.

As for the share of women in the National Parliament, all countries included in the TOP 10 in terms of the number of women in parliament have fairly similar indicators (from 37.3% to 47.6%). The leading countries are Iceland 47.6%, Sweden 46.6% and Finland 46%.

In terms of the dynamics of growth in the share of women in national parliaments over the past decade, the leaders are Malta (+13.5 percentage points), France (+12.5 percentage points) and Estonia (+11.9 percentage points). In general, countries show fairly similar dynamics in terms of this indicator.

‍

Countries leading in the number of women in business

Based on the results of 2023, it can be noted that the percentage of women among Board members is almost twice as high as in Executive positions, both on average and by country.

Ladies occupy the most seats on boards of directors in France (46.1%), Norway (43.1%) and Italy (43%).

At the same time, Italy ranked first in terms of the increase in the number of women on the board of directors at the end of the decade (+28 percentage points), followed by Ireland (+26.3) and Portugal (+26.1). In general, it can be said that over the last decade the share of women on boards of directors has been growing more dynamically than the share of women in National Governments and National Parliaments.

‍

Based on the results of 2023, we can say that women are still least represented in management positions, but over the past decade this share has continued to grow steadily, and we will probably see significant progress in this category in the next decade.

In 2023, the leading countries in terms of the percentage of female managers were Estonia (24.4%), Latvia (22.4%) and Romania (21.9%). In terms of growth over the last decade, Norway (+31.3 percentage points), Iceland (+31 percentage points) and Lithuania (+29.3 percentage points) are leading. It can be emphasized that almost all countries from the TOP 10 in terms of the growth of women in company management are increasing this indicator at a similar pace from 26 to 31 percentage points.

In general, based on the results of studying the indicators and their dynamics, it can be emphasized that the trend of increasing the share of women in top positions in politics and business is sustainable and will continue to grow in the next decade. Most likely in National Governments and National Parliaments with a slower pace, and in business - in Boards of Directors and in senior positions in companies with a faster pace.

We sincerely believe that this trend will allow countries to enter a trajectory of sustainable economic growth and take a fresh look at many of the problems facing modern society.

Sources:

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/sdg_05_50/default/table?lang=en&category=sdg.sdg_05

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/sdg_05_60/default/table?lang=en&category=sdg.sdg_05

‍