Recent reports reveal the gender gap in tech is closing across the UK, EU, and US.
- In the UK, women’s participation in computer-related roles has grown significantly since 2019.
- The EU is also seeing a rise, with more women in programming and related services.
- The US shows a complex trend with a mix of growth and challenges in female tech representation.
- Industry leaders highlight both progress and the continued challenges of achieving workplace equality.
Recent reports from the Financial Times underline a narrowing gender gap in technology roles across advanced economies, notably the UK, EU, and US. In the UK, the proportion of women working in computer-related roles has risen from 29 percent in 2019 to over 32 percent last year. Additionally, overall female representation in the sector increased from 30.9 to 34.1 percent during the same period.
Europe has also experienced positive trends, with female participation in computer programming and related services rising from 23 percent pre-pandemic to 25 percent by the end of 2023. The availability of tech roles in industries like banking and consumer goods sectors is a contributing factor to this rise in the EU.
In the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes a shift in female representation within the tech industry, with a drop from 31 percent in 2019 to 25 percent by 2023. This indicates a more complex situation where challenges still exist despite some progress.
Industry voices, such as Sai Bendi, Software Development Manager at Encompass Corporation, emphasize the transformative appeal of technology as an industry and the excitement it offers women. However, Bendi indicates there is still substantial work required to ensure diversity becomes a core component of industry culture rather than a superficial aim. Notably, the ability to work remotely has been identified as a significant factor aiding women in balancing professional and personal responsibilities, pointing to a shift in workplace dynamics.
Sheila Flavell CBE, Chief Operating Officer for FDM Group, comments positively on the closing gender gap, attributing part of it to gender equality policies and the rise of flexible working arrangements. Nevertheless, Flavell stresses the importance of businesses taking advantage of these changes to further encourage women to enter technology roles and equip them with the necessary skills for contributing to rapidly advancing fields such as artificial intelligence.
The narrowing gender gap in the tech industry across the UK, EU, and US is promising, yet ongoing efforts toward true equality remain essential.
