According to Weber Shandwick's newly released Gender Forward Pioneer (GFP) Index, the world's most admired companies feature twice as many women in senior management compared to the global average. Yet gender parity remains elusive: women hold just 10.9% of top executive roles at Fortune Global 500 firms. No company has achieved equality, and 37.6% maintain all-male leadership teams.
The GFP Index assesses women's representation in senior management across Fortune Global 500 companies. Weber Shandwick examined gender balance among more than 8,600 executives spanning 36 countries.
The World's Most Gender-Equal Companies
While no global giant has reached executive gender parity, standout industries and markets are setting the pace.
· General trade leads sectors with 33% women in senior roles—triple the 10.9% average.
Five industries have zero women in senior management: diversified wholesalers, food and grocery wholesalers, shipping, staffing, and textiles.
· North America tops regions at 19% women executives.
· Sweden ranks highest nationally at 27%, followed by Turkey at 26%.
In total, only 13 Fortune Global 500 companies have female CEOs.
