Measure of perceptions of female leadership shows decline

The index measures how women and men are perceived in terms of their suitability for leadership across the G7 countries – the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.

This year, Verian also collected data on all Nordic countries, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and The Netherlands.

According to the most recent report, published this month, the average index score for 2024 is 70 – two points lower than the level recorded the year the index started in 2018.

The score sat at 73 between 2019 and 2022 and dropped to 72 last year.

Any score of less than 100 is an indication of prejudice in society, according to the index.

The research also found that across the G7 nations, there is a gap in perceptions between 18-34 year olds and those aged 35-65, with the younger age group more prejudiced on average.