The Worldwide Independent Network of MR (WIN), leading global association of independent market research and polling firms, has released new findings from its Worldviews Survey. This year’s survey captures the perspective and beliefs of 35,515 individuals across 40 countries. As we mark International Equal Pay Day, the latest findings reveal that global perceptions of workplace gender equality, has improved since 2019. However, it’s important to note that this positive trend is largely led by men.
By tracking trends over six years, WIN has assessed and provided valuable insights into how these perceptions are changing over time.
Let’s dive into the findings:
Progress has been made, but not for all in workplace gender equality
Globally, 59% of people believe that gender equality in the workplace has been achieved to some extent. That said, nearly a third of the population (31%) remain unconvinced. This marks a slightly positive change compared to 2019, when only 34% felt equality had been achieved.
This optimism is largely driven by men, with a whopping 64% of men arguing that equality has already been achieved, compared to the 35% of women who say otherwise. This highlights a clear gap in gender understanding. Men and women clearly perceive the progress of gender equality differently – not only in the workplace, but also across society at large, in politics, and at home.
Regional differences also shape this perception. People in the APAC region are the most optimistic (66%), followed by the Americas (58%) and the MENA region (57%). Europeans remain the most sceptical, with only 55% believing equality has been achieved to some degree.
Demographic factors add further nuance. There is a clear negative correlation between this optimism and age: younger people between 25-34 are generally more positive, with 62% believing equality has been achieved, compared to just 50% of those over 65.
Education and employment also play a role: 67% of those with a master’s or PhD believe workplace gender equality exists, versus 57% of those with only basic formal education. Among full-time employees, 66% feel equality has been achieved, compared to just 48% of those who are unemployed or retired/disabled.
Why workplace gender equality still has work to do
The 2025 Worldviews Survey reveals that while global perceptions of workplace gender equality are improving, this optimism is shaped by a complex mix of factors – spanning regions, generations, socioeconomic groups, and most notably, gender itself.
To move the needle meaningfully, we need to open our minds to a more holistic view of gender equality that accounts not just for representation or policy, but for lived experience, emotional safety, and cultural nuance. Progress isn’t linear and it doesn’t look the same for everyone. Recognising this complexity is the first step toward designing workplaces that are truly inclusive, not just statistically equal.
This disparity in perception risks masking persistent inequalities, especially if organisations take this surface-level optimism at face value. To truly advance gender parity, businesses must go beyond the numbers and address these differing perceptions head-on, ensuring that DEI progress is not only made, but also genuinely experienced and recognised by everyone.
Richard Colwell, President of WIN International Association, said:
“These findings show that while the world is making strides towards gender equality in the workplace, the perception of progress is far from universal. Men are more likely to see equality as ‘mission accomplished,’ but women’s lived experiences often tell a different story. For organisations, WIN hopes that this can be a call to look deeper beyond surface-level sentiment to ensure that the policies and practices they champion lead to equality that is not just measured, but meaningfully felt by everyone.”