Cyprus has fewest women managers among EU members

Cyprus recorded the lowest percentage of women in managerial positions in 2024, with 25,3 per cent, compared to the EU average of 35.2 per cent, up from 31.8 per cent in 2014, Eurostat said on Monday.

Women were more represented among young managers with 39 per cent of all managers in the age group 15 to 39, and the share decreased with age.

There were 34.4 per cent of women among managers aged 40 to 64 and 26.5 per cent among those 65 years and older. 

Among EU countries, in 2024, the largest share of women in managerial positions was recorded in Sweden with 44.4 per cent, followed by Latvia 43.4 per cent and Poland 41.8 per cent.

The lowest shares were in Cyprus with 25.3 per cent, Croatia 27.6 per cent and Italy 27.9 per cent. 

Since 2014, 24 EU countries recorded an increase in the share of women in managerial positions. The largest increases were recorded in Luxembourg with +13.7 percentage points (pp), Malta +10.1 pp and Cyprus +7.9 pp. In contrast, Slovenia by -3.8 pp, Latvia -0.7 pp and Lithuania -0.2 pp registered decreases.

Eurostat said the data was part of a series of articles published to mark international women’s day, celebrated on March 8.