Women in German Corporate Leadership Reach Record High

The proportion of women in executive roles at Germany's largest listed companies has risen significantly over the past decade, though parity remains a distant goal.

As of January 2025, women hold 19.6% of executive board positions in Germany's top 160 DAX-listed companies, up from just 2.5% in 2015.
A total of 136 women now serve on executive boards, marking a year-over-year increase of 14 positions, according to data from EY.
Legislation introduced in 2016 and expanded in 2022 mandates specific quotas for women in board roles, with stricter requirements for larger companies.
Advocacy groups like Fidar are calling for broader application of these quotas, arguing that current rules cover only a small subset of German businesses.
Despite progress, experts and policymakers highlight the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms and cultural shifts to achieve gender parity in leadership.