Glass-Ceiling Index

Published on 12 Oct 2025

• In honor of International Women’s Day, The Economist released its annual glass-ceiling index which analyzes working conditions for women across the 29 countries in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

• The countries were ranked based on ten measures: Higher education, GMAT exams taken by women, Labor-force participation rate, Gender wage gap, Women in managerial positions, Women on company boards, Women in government, Net child-care costs, Paid leave for mothers, & Paid leave for fathers.

• Political Front: The OECD observed an average increase in women’s parliamentary representation to 34%.

• Japan and Britain recorded significant gains, with representation rising to 16% (up from 10%) and 41% (up from 35%), respectively. 

• In contrast, the United States experienced a slight decline, with representation falling to 28.7%.

• Economic Front: There is a rise in the percentage of women on corporate boards, reaching 33%.

• Also there is an increase in women’s labour-force participation, which grew to 66.6%, up from 65.8% the previous year.

• However, it remains lower compared to men at 81%.

• ​The "glass ceiling" is a metaphor describing the invisible barriers that prevent women and minorities from advancing to higher-level positions within organizations, regardless of their qualifications or achievements. 

• These barriers are often the result of implicit biases, stereotypes, and organizational cultures that favor certain groups over others.

• ​The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organization founded in 1961 to promote policies that improve the economic and social well-being of people worldwide. 

• It provides a platform for its 38 member countries to collaborate, share experiences, and develop solutions to common challenges.

Keywords:

Glass-Ceiling Index Women Gender equality Gender Gender disparity Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD Gender wage gap Triple burden feminization of agriculture Glass ceiling effect Women representation