Measuring societal perceptions across the G7 nations since 2018, our Index is the leading global measure, providing robust data, insights on key trends and the dissonance between genders and generations, to inform strategic decision-making in public policy.

REYKJAVIK INDEX FOR LEADERSHIP

The first data release for this years Reykjavík Index for Leadership shows Iceland as a clear leader although a downward trend in perception of gender equality in leadership continues overall

As global leaders from government, business and civil society gathered at Reykjavík Global Forum in November 2024, the latest annual data from The Reykjavík Index was presented showing a further decline in equality in terms of how society view women and men and their suitability for leadership. Launched in 2018, the Index measures perceptions of women and men as leaders across 23 economic sectors. The latest data released at the forum covers the G7 group of countries together with Iceland.

This year’s findings show that Iceland continues to have the highest scores of any country measured, with a Reykjavik Index of 87 compared to the G7 average of 68, their lowest yet recorded.

REYKJAVIK INDEX FOR LEADERSHIP 2024-2025

Average yearly Index scores for the G7 countries 2018-2025

REYKJAVIK INDEX FOR LEADERSHIP
2024-2025

A score of 100 would mean that women and men were viewed by society as equally suitable for leadership.

Whilst the findings show that ‘comfort’ with the idea of a female political leader in the G7 is similar to 2018 when the Reykjavik Index began, this varies across countries. In the US, only 47% of those questioned were ‘very comfortable’ with a female political leader (with research undertaken in September - October 2024). Figures are similarly low for women corporate leaders, with a G7 average of 50%.

Across the 23 sectors measured by the Index, the latest findings demonstrate an increasing polarisation within societies across the G7, characterised by competing forces of the drive to equality and a ‘backlash’ of ‘re-traditionalization’. These trends are particularly apparent amongst younger groups.

When the Reykjavík Index for Leadership was first launched in 2018, it was acknowledged that progress on the perception of women’s leadership was far from guaranteed. Nevertheless, it was fully hoped at that time to witness improvements in perceptions in the years to come, with countries and sectors approaching the target score of 100, meaning an absence of prejudice.

The findings revealed significant, complex, and deep-seated prejudice towards women – women were not seen as equally suitable to lead. They revealed entrenched gender norms in the perception of leadership across the economy, but particularly in those sectors that are seen as traditionally male, such as defense and police, or female, such as childcare.

REYKJAVIK INDEX FOR LEADERSHIP 2023-2024

Any score of less than 100 is an indication of prejudice in society

Six years on, and the 2023-24 data shows that we have not merely seen stagnation in some areas, but regression on the perception of women and men being equally suitable for leadership, with the data for the G7 in the Index this year dropping two Index points lower than was first measured in 2018.

Top three headlines from our 2024 report

Are we seeing the start of a downward trend in our pursuit of gender equality in leadership?

The data from our 2024 research, across the G7 countries, would indicate that we are.

Young people are now more prejudiced than their parents - and the gap is widening.

The dissonance between the younger generation, and those aged 35 and older, is getting more pronounced and seems to be increasing for each year we measure attitudes.

READ THE INDEX 2023-2024

READ THE INDEX - NORDIC EDTION

Men and women both show levels of prejudice against women in leadership roles.

The fact that both women and men hold perceptions which are prejudiced against women’s suitability for leadership or positions of power, means that this is not about ‘fixing’ women or men. It is about how we tackle these prejudices across society as a whole. In fact, the G7 data shows not only a widening gender gap, but also a regression in the attitudes of women.

Michelle Harrison’s presentation on the Reykjavik Index for Leadership at the Forum in November 2023 included a combination of hopeful and encouraging message for the Nordic countries, as well as some worrying statements regarding the perceptions of young people. The Nordic countries: Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, as well as the Netherlands, produce Index scores that are significantly higher than the rest of those measured in the Index. Iceland remains the standout performer.