The rate of women hired in leadership positions in Australia has dropped by eight per cent, a figure that sits in line with a global trend in women’s leadership that has slowed for the third consecutive year.
The figures come from the new data released by professional networking site LinkedIn, which shows the hiring rate for women in C-suite leadership positions has slid back to the rate it was at five years ago.
This is particularly concerning given the rate at which AI is transforming the economy and the workforce. According to the LinkedIn data, Australian women are 37 per cent more likely to have non-linear “multidomain” career paths, almost double that of the global workforce.
These career skills make women uniquely equipped to lead amid rapid AI advancement, says Audrey Lobo-Pulo, Head of Public Policy & Economic Graph at Australia & New Zealand at LinkedIn
“As we enter this transformative era of AI, sidelining half of the country’s talent pool risks stalling growth, innovation, and productivity. Aussie women are distinctly positioned on not just the national business landscape, but on the global stage,” Lobo-Pulo says.
“Their multidomain experience makes them uniquely equipped to lead in this new era — yet their representation in leadership continues to decline. They are almost twice as likely as men globally, to bring this kind of expertise.”
Lobo-Pulo says women’s career skills and leadership styles are exactly what the evolving economy, driven by AI, needs.
“We’ve seen how Aussie businesses are at the forefront of leveraging AI, and it also can foster more inclusive hiring practices and equitable career growth for women. AI has the potential to counter biases and highlight the diverse skills and experiences that women bring to the table,” Lobo-Pulo said.
“By adopting AI-driven, skills-based hiring, businesses can broaden their talent pool and ensure that women are not just participants – but leaders – in the AI economy. This is not merely an equality issue; it is an economic imperative. Women’s unique career paths and adaptive leadership styles are what our evolving economy needs.”
According to the data, Australian women make up only one in five of the C-suite among Baby Boomers and just under 2 in 5 (39.8 per cent) among Millennial leaders, whilst making up close to half (44 per cent) of Gen Z leaders.
Globally, women hold less than a third (28.8 per cent) of vice president or C-suite roles – despite making up over 40 per cent of the workforce, on average. This is most pronounced in STEM, where only around one in 10 C-Suite positions are held by women.
Feature image: Audrey Lobo-Pulo.