A new report reveals that workplace culture is the primary reason women are exiting the technology sector in Europe. Women now represent less than one in five tech workers across the continent, with their participation dropping to just 19 percent in 2025, a decrease of 3 percent from the previous year. The findings, published by consulting firm McKinsey & Company, indicate that without significant intervention, the gender gap in tech could continue to widen, particularly as the industry evolves with advances in artificial intelligence (AI).
Analysis of 4 million LinkedIn profiles within tech roles across the European Union highlighted critical trends. Although girls tend to outperform boys in STEM subjects during their primary and secondary education, only 32 percent of female students opt to pursue tech-related degrees. For those who do continue to higher education, women slightly outnumber men in earning PhDs in STEM fields. Yet, the stark reality remains that women make up only 19 percent of the tech workforce.
The report underscores that a significant obstacle for women arises during career progression. Women’s representation in the tech labour force declines by as much as 18 percentage points before they reach managerial roles, resulting in women occupying merely 13 percent of management positions within tech companies. This early attrition exacerbates the existing gender gap in leadership, where only 8 percent of executive roles are held by women.
Some sectors, such as software, exhibit even wider disparities. The gap between the number of women in entry-level positions and those advancing to corporate leadership roles reaches 15 percentage points. Furthermore, while women constitute a larger share of employees in product management (39 percent) and design (54 percent), these roles frequently do not translate into executive positions and remain a small segment of Europe’s tech workforce.
The report raises alarms regarding women’s representation in AI, with men increasingly securing entry-level positions in data and analytics. This trend poses a risk of limiting diverse perspectives at critical levels where bias and societal impact must be addressed. Even in countries like Finland and Sweden, known for their commitment to gender equality, women only represent 36 percent and 23 percent of tech workers, respectively.
A significant factor driving women away from tech is the workplace culture, as articulated in the McKinsey survey. Nearly 50 percent of women reported experiencing sexism or bias in the past year, while an overwhelming 82 percent indicated they felt the need to prove their worth more than their male counterparts. Many women experience isolation in their roles, often being the only female in their teams. Moreover, women typically undertake additional unpaid responsibilities, such as resolving team conflicts or coordinating events, leading to an average of 200 hours of “office housework” annually.
Policies aimed at supporting working parents, including flexible and remote work options, can inadvertently hinder career advancement for women, according to the report.
To address these challenges, McKinsey suggests that improving workplace culture is the most effective strategy for retaining women in tech roles. The report recommends that companies establish clear representation targets and conduct quarterly reviews of progress. Furthermore, linking career advancement to individual output could level the playing field for women.
Mentorship also plays a crucial role; pairing mid-career women with senior leaders can provide valuable role models and clearer pathways to leadership. The report advocates for investments in AI-driven reskilling programs to create new opportunities for women, particularly as the workforce undergoes restructuring due to AI advancements.
“Accelerating women into these future-critical roles is not a side agenda; it is one of Europe’s most tangible levers to build the leadership AI now demands and to strengthen innovation, governance, and competitiveness across the region,” the report states.
Without decisive action, the current trends threaten to deepen the gender gap in Europe’s technology sector, leaving women further marginalized in a rapidly evolving field.
