Still juggling between pursuing a career, domestic duties and expectations from the society? Or have they already obtained the equality they had been fighting for years? Let us take a look at the situation of women in business in 2025.
Is it easier for “women in positions” today?
Between 2010 and 2020, women in Poland held nearly 50% of management positions. A lot? Theoretically, gender equality is maintained, but on the other hand, if we analyse the issue more deeply, we discover that among public officials, senior officials and CEOs, this percentage drops to 30% [1].
According to EU directives, by 2026 a minimum of 33% of seats on management and supervisory boards should be filled by women. As of this moment, only one in four companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange complies with regulations on improving gender balance among directors of listed companies [2].
Although women in Poland are more likely than men to have a university degree and to be successfully promoted to middle management positions, they still face barriers to advancement to top positions in companies. According to the PARP (Polish Agency for Entrepreneurship Development) report “Labour Market, Education, Competencies”, the number of women in supervisory and management positions in Poland in 2021-2023 increased slightly – from 15% to a mere 17% [3].
Wage gap still in play
According to Eurostat, in 2022 the wage gap in the European Union was as high as 12.7%, with the highest in Estonia (21.3%) and the lowest in Luxembourg (-0.7%). A year later, the EU adopted the equal pay directive, and member states pledged to implement the relevant legislation by June 2026.
So far, have there been any major changes? Unfortunately not. The data compiled by Statistics Poland shows that in July 2024, the median wage again indicated gender differences – for men it was PLN 6899.50, which was PLN 485.54 higher than for women. This means that in Poland, men earned on average 3.9% more and women 3.4% less than the median wage overall [4].
And after work? Still at work
According to a publication by the Polish Economic Institute [5], only in 34% of families do couples share responsibilities equally. In 55% of families with children aged 1-9, women perform the bulk of household and caregiving duties, despite the fact that both partners work.
Interestingly, women are still more likely to take care of the home and children, even if they earn more than their partners. In this case, the percentage of men taking on more responsibilities is 18%.
Couples with similar earnings are more likely to have an equal division of responsibilities – 42% of partners declare it, but only in 10% of cases the man takes on the bulk of the duties.
What is it like to be a leader in 2025?
The summary of the above data does not inspire optimism. The beginning of the second quarter of the 21st century is a time when women still have to face many challenges – the role of a leader, household duties, and the still existing inequalities in the labour market. Despite progress in gender equality, the number of women in top positions is still growing very slowly, the wage gap continues to exist, and domestic and caregiving duties mostly fall on women (even if they earn more).
Being a leader in 2025 requires determination, courage and the ability to manage both the team and one’s own time. It is also a challenge to break down stereotypes and build a more inclusive world of work. Despite this, with each passing year, more and more women are proving that it is possible to achieve professional success and take care of one’s private life at the same time – but this requires support, both systemic and from the closest environment.
Looking ahead to the next few years, it will be crucial to further strengthen gender equality so that women do not have to choose between career and family, but can pursue both on an equal basis.
References:
https://raportsdg.stat.gov.pl/2023/Decyzyjnosc_i_zarzadzanie.html
https://www.deloitte.com/pl/pl/about/press-room/ESG-i-regulacje-szansa-na-zwiekszenie-obecnosci-kobiet-w-zarzadach-i-radach-nadzorczych-spolek-z-GPW.html
https://300gospodarka.pl/news/wciaz-malo-kobiet-na-wysokich-stanowiskach-jest-nowy-raport
https://kadry.infor.pl/wiadomosci/6848155,jawnosc-wynagrodzen-zmieni-reguly-gry-pracodawcy-obawiaja-sie-masowyc.html
https://pie.net.pl/numer-5-2025-06-lutego-2025/
