Which companies worldwide have the most female executives?

Japan, Germany, Singapore lower on list of 28 countries

BY Jonalyn Cueto 26 Mar 2024

A study has unveiled that Filipino women are claiming more top-tier executive positions compared to other countries worldwide.

The survey conducted by London-based Grant Thornton found that 43% of senior management roles in Philippine businesses are held by women, according to a Nikkei Asia report.

The survey, conducted at the end of 2023, encompassed 4,891 midsize companies at 28 countries across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Grant Thornton defines senior management roles broadly, encompassing positions from CEOs and COOs to board members and finance chiefs.

The Philippines has maintained a strong presence at the top of the survey for two decades, being no. 2 in 2023, no. 4 in 2022, and no. 1 in 2021 and 2020.

This is not due to Western society's low consciousness of gender roles but because of the Philippines' early efforts to address gender issues, including the Magna Carta of Women Act of 2009, which guarantees women economic and social rights, said Tomoko Tashiro, a manager in marketing communication at Grant Thornton Japan, in the Nikkei Asia report.

Female representation in the global corporate setting

Three other Southeast Asian nations that placed in the Top 10 in 2023 include Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Countries like South Korea and Japan lag at the bottom of the list. Australia ranked no. 8, but South Korea is at no. 27, and Japan is at no. 28.

Globally, the female share of management positions has crept closer to parity for four years in a row, to 33% in the last survey, said the Nikkei Asia report.