Fewer companies in the United States are prioritizing the advancement of women in their organizations, according to the 11th annual Women in the Workplace report released by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org. The report indicates a continued decline in corporate commitment to gender diversity.
This year, only 54% of surveyed companies said that advancing women’s careers was a high priority. This marks a significant decrease from 2019, when 87% of companies considered gender diversity a top concern.
The study found that one out of every six companies has reduced its focus on diversity and inclusion programs. These reductions have affected initiatives such as remote and hybrid work options, flexible schedules, formal sponsorships, and career development content aimed at women. The findings are based on data collected from 124 companies with a combined workforce of three million people, surveys from 9,500 employees, and interviews with 62 human resources leaders.
A new trend highlighted by the report is an “ambition gap” between men and women regarding promotions. While both groups remain equally committed to their careers and motivated to perform well, only 80% of women overall expressed interest in being promoted compared to 86% of men.
The ambition gap is especially evident among entry-level employees and senior leaders. Among entry-level workers, just 69% of women want a promotion versus 80% of men. At the senior level, this figure is 84% for women compared to 92% for men.
Personal obligations were cited as barriers for some women aspiring to higher positions. Nearly one-quarter (25%) of entry- and senior-level women who do not seek promotion said personal responsibilities made it difficult to take on more work; only 15% of men at these levels reported similar challenges.
The report also points out an opportunity gap: fewer entry-level women become managers than their male counterparts—only 31% hold managerial roles—making it less likely they will move up within their organizations.
“This is a solvable problem, but it requires a greater investment in women’s careers at a time when a number of companies may be deprioritizing them,” according to the report.
“Corporate America has made real progress in women’s representation over the past decade — and companies that prioritize gender diversity see bigger gains,” the report states. “For companies that lost focus this year, 2026 should be the year of recommitting to women in the workplace.”
The full Women in the Workplace report was released on December 9.
