In today’s globalised and interconnected world, diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical components for any successful business. Achieving true diversity and inclusion requires ongoing effort and measurement.

The GIST Impact Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) report aims to provide insights into the current state of diversity and inclusion within the top 350 EU companies by market capitalisation, and to highlight the importance of continued progress in this area.

The report has revealed some eye-opening insights about gender inequality in European workplaces. Men dominate the workforce, holding three out of every five employment positions in the 350 top EU companies with a combined market capitalisation of USD 10.1 trillion. However, the report did find that there is some progress being made on gender pay gap, with an average overall gender pay gap of only 4% recorded in these companies, which is significantly lower than the 12.7% gender pay gap reported across the EU in 2021. Nevertheless, the report highlighted a concerning trend in senior-level positions, with the highest gender wage gap of 7% observed among C-suite level employees.

GIST Impact’s analysis highlights the well-established “glass ceiling effect“, which indicates that women’s workforce participation declines with an increase in seniority level – from 42% at entry level jobs to 29% at C-suite positions. It also affects their income-earning potential at top European companies with the highest gender pay gap (7%) observed at the C-Suite level employees. GIST Impact analyses gender wage gap not only at different seniority levels, but also at employee cohort levels & across regions.

Having more women on a company’s board leads to a more diverse range of opinions and ideas, which leads to good governance and effective decision-making, helping drive long-term value creation.

There is increased pressure on companies to increase their diversity and inclusion efforts, including at the board level. Investors are increasingly using their influence to push for more diverse boards, with some even making it a condition of their investment.

To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, it’s essential to measure progress and identify areas for improvement. The GIST Impact Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) report provides valuable insights into the state of gender equality in the top 350 EU companies. Download the full whitepaper to learn more about the gender pay gap, the glass ceiling effect, and the benefits of diverse leadership. Use our comprehensive DEI data to inform your own DEI strategies.