Female representation in technical roles dropped in 2023-2024 after years of slow growth. UK and US data show 4-7% decline. Drivers are structural: layoffs disproportionately affecting women, return-to-office policies harder on caregivers, hostile workplace experiences, and AI-related role uncertainty.
What's specifically affecting women
Tech layoffs in 2023-2024 hit women at higher rates than men proportionally. Mandatory return-to-office (post-pandemic) hardest on women with childcare. Hostile workplace cultures persisting in some companies. AI uncertainty driving women out of roles they'd built.
Whether this reverses
Without structural intervention — flexible work standardised, hostile cultures addressed, AI displacement supported — the trend continues. The 2024-2025 data so far doesn't show reversal.