Europe’s tech gender gap widens as AI reshapes careers

In 2025 women accounted for 19% of core tech roles in Europe, down 3 percentage points from the previous year, with the McKinsey report warning that AI-driven changes could widen the gap without targeted action. The analysis highlights pipeline drop-offs from school to tech, slow progression into leadership (only 13% in tech management and 8% in executive roles), and a concentration of women in product/design roles that rarely lead to top leadership. The research also points to sexism, increased unpaid “office housework,” and the impact of parental policies on advancement. To close the gap, the report calls for clear representation targets, linking promotions to outcomes, expanded mentorship, and AI-driven reskilling to create mid- to senior-level pathways for women.