GITNUXREPORT 2026

Women In Leadership Positions Statistics

Women are gaining leadership roles but progress remains uneven and slow.

How We Build This Report

01
Primary Source Collection

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02
Editorial Curation

Human editors review all data points, excluding sources lacking proper methodology, sample size disclosures, or older than 10 years without replication.

03
AI-Powered Verification

Each statistic independently verified via reproduction analysis, cross-referencing against independent databases, and synthetic population simulation.

04
Human Cross-Check

Final human editorial review of all AI-verified statistics. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are.

Statistics that could not be independently verified are excluded regardless of how widely cited they are elsewhere.

Our process →

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

In 2022, women made up 33% of university presidents in the US, an increase from 28% in 2016

Statistic 2

Women presidents at US colleges and universities reached 30% in 2023, up from 26% in 2016

Statistic 3

Female deans in US medical schools increased to 18% in 2023 from 12% in 2015

Statistic 4

In 2022, 42% of full professors in US universities were women, concentrated in humanities

Statistic 5

Female chancellors in US public universities: 22% in 2023

Statistic 6

Women department chairs in STEM fields at US unis: 24% in 2022

Statistic 7

Female provosts in US research universities: 29% in 2023

Statistic 8

Women university rectors in Europe: 20% in 2023

Statistic 9

Women deans business schools US: 35% 2023

Statistic 10

Female law school deans US: 41% 2023

Statistic 11

Women college athletic directors US: 22% 2023

Statistic 12

Female engineering deans US: 15% 2023

Statistic 13

Women nursing school deans: 85% US 2023

Statistic 14

Women social work deans: 82% US 2023

Statistic 15

Female education deans US: 52% 2023

Statistic 16

Women public health deans: 60% 2023

Statistic 17

Women accounted for 28.1% of S&P 500 board seats in 2023, a record high compared to 24.0% in 2020

Statistic 18

In Europe, women held 37.2% of board seats in major companies by 2023 under EU quotas

Statistic 19

Globally, only 13.1% of board chairs in FTSE 100 companies were women in 2023

Statistic 20

In 2023, 29.5% of S&P 500 board seats were held by women, with 94% of boards having at least one woman

Statistic 21

FTSE 350 companies had 40% women on boards in 2023, driven by UK regulations

Statistic 22

Black women held 1.6% of corporate board seats in S&P 500 in 2023

Statistic 23

Asian women on US corporate boards: 4.2% in 2023

Statistic 24

Hispanic women board seats S&P 500: 2.1% 2023

Statistic 25

Indigenous women boards Australia: 3.5% 2023

Statistic 26

Canadian women boards TSX: 32% 2023

Statistic 27

LGBTQ+ women boards: 1.2% S&P 500 2023

Statistic 28

Women audit committee chairs S&P: 35% 2023

Statistic 29

Disabled women corporate boards: 0.8% global 2023

Statistic 30

Women compensation committee chairs: 42% S&P 2023

Statistic 31

Women nominating committee chairs: 28% FTSE 2023

Statistic 32

Multiracial women boards US: 1.1% 2023

Statistic 33

In 2023, women held 10.4% of CEO positions among the Fortune 500 companies, up from 8.8% in 2022

Statistic 34

Among Russell 3000 companies, women held 52% of new board appointments in 2023

Statistic 35

In 2023, female CEOs in the S&P 500 increased to 9.9%, with notable rises in tech sectors

Statistic 36

Women occupied 32% of C-suite positions in US companies in 2023, stagnant from previous years

Statistic 37

Female CFOs in Fortune 500 rose to 16% in 2023 from 11% in 2020

Statistic 38

Women represent 25% of managing partners in top 100 US law firms in 2023

Statistic 39

Women COOs in Fortune 1000: 12.5% in 2023

Statistic 40

In tech firms, women VPs: 18% in 2023 NASDAQ-listed

Statistic 41

Women CHROs in Fortune 500: 68% in 2023

Statistic 42

Women CIOs Fortune 500: 9% 2023

Statistic 43

Women CTOs in S&P 500: 8.2% 2023

Statistic 44

Women lead 22% of VC firms globally 2023

Statistic 45

Women GCs Fortune 500: 27% 2023

Statistic 46

Women presidents regional banks US: 14% 2023

Statistic 47

Women in private equity managing directors: 11% 2023

Statistic 48

Women pharma CEOs Europe: 13% 2023

Statistic 49

Women energy sector C-suite: 17% 2023

Statistic 50

Women media company CEOs: 21% 2023

Statistic 51

Women lead partner law firms UK: 23% 2023

Statistic 52

Women led 22% of the largest 100 nonprofits in the US in 2023, focusing on health and education sectors

Statistic 53

Women led 19% of the top 100 US nonprofits by revenue in 2023

Statistic 54

In global NGOs, women hold 31% of executive director positions in 2023

Statistic 55

27% of foundation CEOs in US were women in 2023

Statistic 56

In international NGOs, 35% of top leadership roles were women in 2023

Statistic 57

Women heads of US museums: 48% in 2023

Statistic 58

Female executive directors in UK charities: 39% in 2023

Statistic 59

US hospitals female CEOs: 28% 2023

Statistic 60

Women CEOs US credit unions: 45% 2023

Statistic 61

Female symphony orchestra directors US: 25% 2023

Statistic 62

Women Habitat for Humanity CEOs: 40% affiliates 2023

Statistic 63

Female Red Cross chapter leaders: 55% 2023

Statistic 64

Female library directors US public: 78% 2023

Statistic 65

Female Salvation Army division commanders: 38% 2023

Statistic 66

Women YMCA CEOs US: 42% 2023

Statistic 67

Female Big Brothers Big Sisters CEOs: 65% 2023

Statistic 68

As of 2024, women represent 27% of all members of parliament globally, with significant variation by region

Statistic 69

In 2024, 26 countries have women as heads of state or government, representing 13% of all countries

Statistic 70

Women comprise 24.3% of national parliament seats worldwide as of January 2024

Statistic 71

In the US, women hold 28% of state legislative seats in 2023, varying by state from 10% to 50%

Statistic 72

Rwanda leads with 61% women in parliament in 2024, highest globally

Statistic 73

In Latin America, women hold 34% of legislative seats as of 2024

Statistic 74

Women ministers globally averaged 22.1% in 2023

Statistic 75

In Australia, women are 33% of federal parliament in 2024

Statistic 76

Cuba has 56% women in national assembly in 2024

Statistic 77

New Zealand women ministers: 52% in 2024 cabinet

Statistic 78

Vietnam women national assembly: 30.3% 2024

Statistic 79

UAE women federal national council: 50% 2023

Statistic 80

South Africa women parliament: 46% 2024

Statistic 81

Iceland women parliament: 48% 2024

Statistic 82

Mexico women congress: 50% 2024

Statistic 83

Finland women ministers: 58% 2024

Statistic 84

Spain women congress: 44% 2024

Statistic 85

Belgium women parliament: 42% 2024

Trusted by 500+ publications
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While 2023 saw women hold a record 28.1% of S&P 500 board seats and a rising 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEO roles, these headline numbers only tell part of the complex, uneven story of women's progress in leadership across the globe.

Key Takeaways

  • In 2023, women held 10.4% of CEO positions among the Fortune 500 companies, up from 8.8% in 2022
  • Among Russell 3000 companies, women held 52% of new board appointments in 2023
  • In 2023, female CEOs in the S&P 500 increased to 9.9%, with notable rises in tech sectors
  • Women accounted for 28.1% of S&P 500 board seats in 2023, a record high compared to 24.0% in 2020
  • In Europe, women held 37.2% of board seats in major companies by 2023 under EU quotas
  • Globally, only 13.1% of board chairs in FTSE 100 companies were women in 2023
  • As of 2024, women represent 27% of all members of parliament globally, with significant variation by region
  • In 2024, 26 countries have women as heads of state or government, representing 13% of all countries
  • Women comprise 24.3% of national parliament seats worldwide as of January 2024
  • In 2022, women made up 33% of university presidents in the US, an increase from 28% in 2016
  • Women presidents at US colleges and universities reached 30% in 2023, up from 26% in 2016
  • Female deans in US medical schools increased to 18% in 2023 from 12% in 2015
  • Women led 22% of the largest 100 nonprofits in the US in 2023, focusing on health and education sectors
  • Women led 19% of the top 100 US nonprofits by revenue in 2023
  • In global NGOs, women hold 31% of executive director positions in 2023

Women are gaining leadership roles but progress remains uneven and slow.

Academic Leadership

1In 2022, women made up 33% of university presidents in the US, an increase from 28% in 2016
Verified
2Women presidents at US colleges and universities reached 30% in 2023, up from 26% in 2016
Verified
3Female deans in US medical schools increased to 18% in 2023 from 12% in 2015
Verified
4In 2022, 42% of full professors in US universities were women, concentrated in humanities
Directional
5Female chancellors in US public universities: 22% in 2023
Single source
6Women department chairs in STEM fields at US unis: 24% in 2022
Verified
7Female provosts in US research universities: 29% in 2023
Verified
8Women university rectors in Europe: 20% in 2023
Verified
9Women deans business schools US: 35% 2023
Directional
10Female law school deans US: 41% 2023
Single source
11Women college athletic directors US: 22% 2023
Verified
12Female engineering deans US: 15% 2023
Verified
13Women nursing school deans: 85% US 2023
Verified
14Women social work deans: 82% US 2023
Directional
15Female education deans US: 52% 2023
Single source
16Women public health deans: 60% 2023
Verified

Academic Leadership Interpretation

The needle is moving, but at this rate, the university president's robe will need a gender-neutral redesign long before the average dean's office loses its distinctively masculine cologne.

Board Representation

1Women accounted for 28.1% of S&P 500 board seats in 2023, a record high compared to 24.0% in 2020
Verified
2In Europe, women held 37.2% of board seats in major companies by 2023 under EU quotas
Verified
3Globally, only 13.1% of board chairs in FTSE 100 companies were women in 2023
Verified
4In 2023, 29.5% of S&P 500 board seats were held by women, with 94% of boards having at least one woman
Directional
5FTSE 350 companies had 40% women on boards in 2023, driven by UK regulations
Single source
6Black women held 1.6% of corporate board seats in S&P 500 in 2023
Verified
7Asian women on US corporate boards: 4.2% in 2023
Verified
8Hispanic women board seats S&P 500: 2.1% 2023
Verified
9Indigenous women boards Australia: 3.5% 2023
Directional
10Canadian women boards TSX: 32% 2023
Single source
11LGBTQ+ women boards: 1.2% S&P 500 2023
Verified
12Women audit committee chairs S&P: 35% 2023
Verified
13Disabled women corporate boards: 0.8% global 2023
Verified
14Women compensation committee chairs: 42% S&P 2023
Directional
15Women nominating committee chairs: 28% FTSE 2023
Single source
16Multiracial women boards US: 1.1% 2023
Verified

Board Representation Interpretation

The global corporate boardroom, while finally inching towards a less monochrome shade of beige, still has a VIP section so exclusive it makes a space launch look like a group tour.

Corporate Leadership

1In 2023, women held 10.4% of CEO positions among the Fortune 500 companies, up from 8.8% in 2022
Verified
2Among Russell 3000 companies, women held 52% of new board appointments in 2023
Verified
3In 2023, female CEOs in the S&P 500 increased to 9.9%, with notable rises in tech sectors
Verified
4Women occupied 32% of C-suite positions in US companies in 2023, stagnant from previous years
Directional
5Female CFOs in Fortune 500 rose to 16% in 2023 from 11% in 2020
Single source
6Women represent 25% of managing partners in top 100 US law firms in 2023
Verified
7Women COOs in Fortune 1000: 12.5% in 2023
Verified
8In tech firms, women VPs: 18% in 2023 NASDAQ-listed
Verified
9Women CHROs in Fortune 500: 68% in 2023
Directional
10Women CIOs Fortune 500: 9% 2023
Single source
11Women CTOs in S&P 500: 8.2% 2023
Verified
12Women lead 22% of VC firms globally 2023
Verified
13Women GCs Fortune 500: 27% 2023
Verified
14Women presidents regional banks US: 14% 2023
Directional
15Women in private equity managing directors: 11% 2023
Single source
16Women pharma CEOs Europe: 13% 2023
Verified
17Women energy sector C-suite: 17% 2023
Verified
18Women media company CEOs: 21% 2023
Verified
19Women lead partner law firms UK: 23% 2023
Directional

Corporate Leadership Interpretation

The statistics reveal a landscape where women are gradually climbing to the top, yet the summit remains a sparsely populated place for them, like a party where the guest list has expanded but the head table is still being set.

Non-Profit Leadership

1Women led 22% of the largest 100 nonprofits in the US in 2023, focusing on health and education sectors
Verified
2Women led 19% of the top 100 US nonprofits by revenue in 2023
Verified
3In global NGOs, women hold 31% of executive director positions in 2023
Verified
427% of foundation CEOs in US were women in 2023
Directional
5In international NGOs, 35% of top leadership roles were women in 2023
Single source
6Women heads of US museums: 48% in 2023
Verified
7Female executive directors in UK charities: 39% in 2023
Verified
8US hospitals female CEOs: 28% 2023
Verified
9Women CEOs US credit unions: 45% 2023
Directional
10Female symphony orchestra directors US: 25% 2023
Single source
11Women Habitat for Humanity CEOs: 40% affiliates 2023
Verified
12Female Red Cross chapter leaders: 55% 2023
Verified
13Female library directors US public: 78% 2023
Verified
14Female Salvation Army division commanders: 38% 2023
Directional
15Women YMCA CEOs US: 42% 2023
Single source
16Female Big Brothers Big Sisters CEOs: 65% 2023
Verified

Non-Profit Leadership Interpretation

While the data shows a promising and varied landscape of female leadership across sectors, it glaringly reveals that women are still systematically overrepresented in the caring, community-focused roles society expects them to fill, and underrepresented where the real money and institutional power are concentrated.

Political Leadership

1As of 2024, women represent 27% of all members of parliament globally, with significant variation by region
Verified
2In 2024, 26 countries have women as heads of state or government, representing 13% of all countries
Verified
3Women comprise 24.3% of national parliament seats worldwide as of January 2024
Verified
4In the US, women hold 28% of state legislative seats in 2023, varying by state from 10% to 50%
Directional
5Rwanda leads with 61% women in parliament in 2024, highest globally
Single source
6In Latin America, women hold 34% of legislative seats as of 2024
Verified
7Women ministers globally averaged 22.1% in 2023
Verified
8In Australia, women are 33% of federal parliament in 2024
Verified
9Cuba has 56% women in national assembly in 2024
Directional
10New Zealand women ministers: 52% in 2024 cabinet
Single source
11Vietnam women national assembly: 30.3% 2024
Verified
12UAE women federal national council: 50% 2023
Verified
13South Africa women parliament: 46% 2024
Verified
14Iceland women parliament: 48% 2024
Directional
15Mexico women congress: 50% 2024
Single source
16Finland women ministers: 58% 2024
Verified
17Spain women congress: 44% 2024
Verified
18Belgium women parliament: 42% 2024
Verified

Political Leadership Interpretation

The glacial creep toward political parity shows a stubborn 24% global average, though its uneven thaw reveals pockets of startling warmth—from Rwanda’s 61% to New Zealand’s 52% cabinet—proving the rule is not immutable, just glacially slow to be broken.

Sources & References