Women make up 39% of the global workforce, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Despite the high participation rate, women hold only 31.7% of senior positions worldwide, and in the U.S., they earn just 84 cents for every dollar men make.
This deep dive into workforce statistics reveals where we stand on gender equality and what needs to change.
Top 6 Female Workforce Statistics (Editor’s Picks)
We’ve handpicked 31+ of the latest female workforce statistics, facts, and trends. Here are 6 that we believe will blow you away.
| 1 | Women make up 39% of the total workforce globally |
| 2 | Only 31.7% of senior positions globally are held by women |
| 3 | 77% of prime-age women are now participating in the labor force |
| 4 | Only 28% of women were working in 1940 |
| 5 | 76% of full-time caregivers in the U.S. are women |
| 6 | Nearly 47% of U.S. workers are women |
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What Percent Of The Workforce Is Female?
Women make up 39% of the total workforce globally (World Economic Forum)
Globally, women represent 39% of the workforce, while men account for 61%. These figures reflect the gender composition of all workers worldwide, including formal and informal employment.
This disparity highlights systemic differences in employment opportunities, economic roles, and access to education and resources for women compared to men across many countries.
77% of prime-age women are now participating in the workforce (Center for American Progress)
For women aged 25-54, workforce participation climbed to 77.0 percent, the highest rate ever recorded. This upward trend reflects better access to jobs and resources, enabling more women to thrive professionally.
76% of full-time caregivers in the U.S. are women (Nursa)
Across the caregiving sector, women dominate full-time positions, making up 76% of the workforce. This highlights the critical role women play in providing care, often balancing these duties alongside other responsibilities.
About 66.5% of women in D.C. participate in the workforce (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Approximately 66.5% of women in Washington, D.C. are part of the workforce, highlighting a notably active female employment base. This percentage outpaces many other U.S. states, pointing to the city’s role as a center for careers in policy, law, and international business.
An estimated 12.3 million immigrant women are part of the U.S. workforce (Center for American Progress)
Roughly 12.3 million immigrant women are part of the U.S. labor force, making them critical contributors to industries like healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. This reflects their growing importance in meeting workforce demands, particularly in high-demand, essential roles.
2.1% of married women aged 25 to 54 are in workforce (UN Women)
A growing number of married women are engaging in the workforce, showing a shift toward dual-income households. Still, almost half of this group remain outside the workforce, potentially due to societal expectations or insufficient support for working families.
Here’s a quick look at the table of the share of female workers across various sectors:
| Sector | Share of Female Workers (%) |
| Healthcare and care services | 65% |
| Education | 54% |
| Consumer services | 52% |
| Government and public sector | 50% |
| Retail | 49% |
| Entertainment providers | 48% |
| Administrative and support services | 47% |
| Real estate | 45% |
| Accommodation and food | 43% |
| Professional services | 42% |
| Overall | 42% |
| Financial services | 42% |
| Technology, information, and media | 36% |
| Wholesale | 34% |
| Utilities | 33% |
| Manufacturing | 32% |
| Agriculture | 32% |
| Supply chain and transportation | 30% |
| Oil, gas, and mining | 23% |
| Infrastructure | 22% |
Female Workforce Statistics
Women occupy just 31.7% of executive roles worldwide. (The World Bank)
In 2024, women still made up only 31.7% of leadership positions globally. This highlights a persistent gender gap in senior roles, even though there have been strides in broader workforce participation. These numbers show that while progress has been made, the path to leadership for women remains uneven, affected by various industry and systemic challenges.
Women’s promotions to manager drop to 81 for every 100 men in 2024 (McKinsey & Company)
In 2024, for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 81 women were promoted, a drop from 87 in previous years. This shows that women still face challenges at the first step into management, often called the “broken rung,” which makes it harder for them to move up in their careers.
Only 28% of women were working in 1940 (National Bureau of Economic Research)
In 1940, just 28% of women participated in the workforce, reflecting the societal norms and limited job opportunities of the time. This was before major economic and cultural shifts during and after World War II expanded women’s roles in the labor market.
Nearly 47% of U.S. workers are women (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Almost half of the American workforce is made up of women. This marks real progress toward better gender representation at work. It shows how much workplace demographics have changed over the years and highlights the important role women play in driving the economy.
52% of women leave jobs due to a lack of workplace flexibility (Personnel Today)
Half of working women cited a lack of flexibility as the primary reason for leaving their jobs. Rigid work schedules and insufficient family leave policies often make balancing professional and personal responsibilities difficult.
Only 36.1% of working-age disabled women were employed (Center for American Progress)
This low figure means that nearly two-thirds of disabled women in the workforce age bracket are not employed. It highlights a significant gap compared to employment rates for non-disabled individuals.
Nearly 45% of Indian women say childcare and home duties keep them from working (Monk Prayogshala)
A recent government report in India found that 44.5% of women are kept out of the workforce due to childcare and home responsibilities. This highlights how traditional gender roles and limited access to affordable childcare can hinder women’s participation in the labor market.
The global unemployment rate for women is 5.3% (International Labor Organization)
The global unemployment rate for women is 5.3%. While this shows progress in some areas, it still highlights gender imbalances compared to men’s rates.
Over 40% of employed women work part-time (Science Direct)
Many women choose part-time jobs due to the need for flexibility, balancing family responsibilities, or other personal reasons. This trend impacts their overall income and access to employment benefits, potentially limiting their career growth and long-term financial security.
Women aged 65 and older earn 27% less than men of the same age (Center for American Progress)
The gender pay gap extends into retirement, where women aged 65 and older earn 27% less than men. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as fewer years in full-time employment, more time spent in unpaid caregiving roles, and lower lifetime earnings, which affect their retirement savings and social security benefits.
Earnings of Women in the Workforce
US women earn 21% less than men (Statista)
In the United States, full-time working women earned a median annual income of $52,850 in 2023, which is 21% less than the $66,790 earned by men.
Women earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men in the US (AAUW)
On average, women in the United States make 84 cents for every dollar earned by men, highlighting a persistent gender wage gap. This figure is based on full-time, year-round earnings and varies by factors like industry, race, and education.
61% of women say employers treat them differently (Pew Research Center)
More women than men believe that unequal treatment by employers is a major reason for the gender pay gap. This points to differing perceptions of workplace bias between genders.
Belgium sets record for gender pay equity with just 1.1% gap (Statista)
Belgium leads the way in gender pay equity with a gap of just 1.1%. This is a major milestone in addressing the wage difference between men and women.
Female lawyers earn 26.5% less than male lawyers on average (Bloomberg Law)
On average, female lawyers earn 26.5% less in median weekly wages compared to their male counterparts. This wage gap highlights ongoing gender disparities in the legal profession, despite more women entering the field and progressing in their careers.
Women earn 17% less than men in their most common jobs (Institute for Women’s Policy Research)
In many of the most common professions for women, they earn 17% less on average than their male counterparts. This gap persists even in roles where women make up a large portion of the workforce.
US female workers earn an average of $42,110 annually (Statista)
The average earnings for female workers in the United States reached $42,110, reflecting progress in income levels. However, this figure remains considerably lower than male earnings, emphasizing the need for continued efforts toward gender pay parity.
Take a closer look at the top 10 countries leading in gender pay equity:
| Rank | Country | Gender Pay Gap (%) |
| 1 | Belgium | 1.1% |
| 2 | Costa Rica | 1.4% |
| 3 | Colombia | 1.9% |
| 4 | Ireland | 2.0% |
| 5 | Croatia | 3.2% |
| 6 | Italy | 3.3% |
| 7 | Norway | 4.5% |
| 8 | Denmark | 5.8% |
| 9 | Portugal | 6.1% |
| 10 | Spain | 6.7% |
Countries with the Highest Female Unemployment Rates
Palestine ranks 1st in women’s unemployment rate at 40.0% (Our World in Data)
Palestine has the highest women’s unemployment rate, standing at 40.0%. The challenging economic and political conditions contribute significantly to limited job opportunities for women in the region.
Djibouti has a women’s unemployment rate of 36.7% (Our World in Data)
Djibouti’s female unemployment rate is 36.7%, making it one of the highest globally. Structural economic issues and limited access to formal jobs are major factors impacting female employment.
South Africa’s women’s unemployment rate is 30.5% (Our World in Data)
In South Africa, the unemployment rate for women reaches 30.5%. This high rate is influenced by economic inequalities, high competition for jobs, and systemic barriers in the labor market.
Sudan’s women’s unemployment rate stands at 30.3% (Our World in Data)
Sudan has a women’s unemployment rate of 30.3%. Economic instability, social restrictions, and a lack of job-creating industries contribute to this elevated unemployment rate among women.
Yemen has a women’s unemployment rate of 30.0% (Our World in Data)
Yemen’s female unemployment rate is 30.0%, reflecting severe socio-economic challenges. Ongoing conflict and limited job opportunities, especially for women, exacerbate the situation.
Wage Gaps Among Disabled Women by Race
AANHPI women earn 55 cents for every dollar paid to non-disabled men (National Partnership for Women & Families)
Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) disabled women earn just 55 cents for every dollar paid to non-disabled men. This stark wage gap highlights the layered inequities of gender, disability, and ethnicity.
Black and AIAN women earn 45 cents for every dollar paid to non-disabled men (National Partnership for Women & Families)
Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) disabled women earn only 45 cents for every dollar paid to non-disabled men.
This disparity reveals deep systemic barriers for these groups. Inclusive hiring practices and stronger wage protections are needed to close this gap.
Latinas earn 44 cents for every dollar paid to non-disabled men (National Partnership for Women & Families)
Disabled Latinas face the largest wage gap, earning just 44 cents for every dollar paid to non-disabled men.
This inequity reflects compounded discrimination. Improving access to education, fair wages, and workplace inclusion can help reduce this disparity.
Conclusion
The statistics tell a complex story: women represent 39% of the global workforce, yet hold 31.7% of senior positions. While some regions like Belgium approach pay equity with a gap of just 1.1%, others continue to show significant disparities in both compensation and advancement.
As workplace dynamics evolve and organizations adapt their policies, the data suggests the next chapter will focus less on basic representation and more on how the distribution of leadership roles and compensation continues to shift across industries and regions.
FAQ
What percent of the total workforce is female?
Women make up 39% of the global workforce, though this varies significantly by region and industry.
Is there a gender wage gap?
Yes, there is a gender wage gap. On average, women earn about 84 cents for every dollar men earn in the U.S., and this varies by factors like industry and location.
What industries have the highest percentage of female workers?
Healthcare leads with 65% female workers, followed by education at 54% and consumer services at 52%.
How much do women earn compared to men in the US?
Women earn 84 cents for every dollar earned by men in the US, or about 21% less than men annually.
Which country has the best gender pay equality?
Belgium leads globally with just a 1.1% gender pay gap, followed by Costa Rica at 1.4%.
