Women’s Workforce Participation Climbs to 41.2% Globally by 2024

Recent labor market data reveals both progress and challenges in workforce participation and employment. Globally, women's representation in the workforce has increased to 41.2% in 2024, with gains in management roles; however, progress in leadership positions has slowed since 2020, indicating persistent barriers. In South Africa, youth unemployment remains a critical issue despite government initiatives like the Presidential Youth Employment program, with private sector hiring lagging and young people suffering the majority of recent job losses. In the U.S., although the unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, many job seekers face increased difficulty finding employment due to employers' hiring reticence amid economic uncertainty, leading to declines in job-finding and quits rates. Additionally, Black women in the U.S. experienced significant job losses in April, raising their unemployment rate and highlighting disproportionate impacts from federal workforce cuts, underscoring ongoing racial and gender disparities in employment. Experts emphasize that while some gains have been made, systemic challenges continue to hinder equitable workforce participation and job market fluidity.