Women’s representation sharply declines from entry level to senior roles, especially in AI

LinkedIn’s research, based on its global member base, finds that women’s representation falls dramatically from entry-level to senior positions, dropping from 46% to 23% on average across 57 economies. In the United Kingdom, the decline is especially steep, and the artificial-intelligence industry shows the widest disparity, with women holding only 13% of C-suite posts at AI firms. While women made up 25% of new AI hires last year, they represented 50% of hires in non-AI roles.

The report also points to career breaks as a pivotal moment when the gender gap widens. Sue Duke, LinkedIn’s vice president for global public policy, warned that progress toward gender parity in leadership has stalled for four consecutive years and urged actions such as supporting non-linear career paths and investing in skills development. The World Economic Forum’s 2026 gender-parity ranking placed the UK fifth among 145 economies.