How gender-balanced leadership can boost Europe’s economy

PANEL | Europe has made the case. Now it must deliver. What must change for equality to shape growth in practice?

Who leads a business shapes what it decides, where it invests and how it performs.

Across the EU, women are still missing from too many of those decisions.

Gender-balanced leadership and its role in Europe’s productivity and competitiveness will be at the centre of a panel discussion at the EIGE Gender Equality Forum 2026 on 17 November.

Throughout the Forum we will present new evidence on what greater gender balance in management could mean for Europe’s economy. The research compares two futures: one in which current trends continue, and one in which more women reach management roles.

This panel session focuses on how gender-balanced leadership could boost productivity and Europe’s competitiveness: what needs to change in workplaces and boardrooms, and who needs to change it.

Europe already has strong economic reasons to make gender equality count. 

Our research estimates that by 2050 it could raise EU GDP per capita by up to 10%, with potential economic gains of €3.15 trillion and 10.5 million additional quality jobs.

The EU has clear policies to improve equality, including gender balance on company boards, while its investment programmes are geared to support positive change by supporting funds with women in leadership roles.

But making these rules and commitments work in practice demands continuous attention. The measures will only succeed if they materially improve women’s prospects.

Progress only happens when women are fairly paid, considered for leadership roles, and able to secure investment for their businesses.

“Europe's future competitiveness relies on innovation that reflects the full diversity of its people,” says one of our panellists, Marjut Falkstedt, Chief Executive of the European Investment Fund (EIF).

This panel will look at the tools and tactics that can make positive change happen.