The proportion of women holding senior roles
in emerging markets has decreased significantly, while in Europe it
is steadily growing, according to Grant Thornton International
research across 40 economies globally.
In Latin America the number of women is senior
roles decreased from 28% in 2009 to 22% in 2012 and from 25% in
2009 down to 19% in 2012 in Asia Pacific.
Similar decreases were recorded in South East
Asia from 36% in 2009 down to 32% in 2012 and in the BRIC
economies, 30% down to 26%.
Europe has however steadily increased the
number of women from 17% in 2004 to 24% in 2012.
“Across Europe the business benefit of
diversity of perspective in senior management teams is now much
more understood. Addressing the issue is no longer seen as a ‘nice
to have’ – it’s vital to a growing, vibrant economy” Grant Thornton
UK Head of People and Culture Sacha Romanovitch said.
“Businesses are now under scrutiny as to what
they are doing – and that is no doubt starting to create a rise in
senior women in management.”
In the UK the rate is down to 20% from the
last year’s 23%, which puts it under the global average, estimated
at 21%.
Of the economies surveyed by the mid-tier
firm, Russia employs the most women in senior management, 46%,
ahead of Botswana, Thailand and the Philippines at 39% and Italy
ranks highest in Europe at 36%.
Bottom of the table is Japan, where only 5% of
senior management positions are filled by women, below Germany
(13%), India (14%) and Denmark (15%).
The biggest risers over the past 12 months
include Turkey, from 25% to 31%, and the United Arab Emirates,
which increased the number by 7% to 15%.
