GCC Board Gender Index 2026: Women's Representation Reaches 7%

Apr 29, 2026

64 min

Apr 29, 2026 13:30

GCC Board Gender Index 2026 highlights continued progress as women's representation reaches 7% across GCC boards

## Overview

The GCC Board Gender Index 2026, released by Heriot-Watt University and Aurora50, highlights a steady increase in women's representation on GCC boards. As of January 2026, women occupy 7% of board positions, up from 6.9% in 2025.

## Key Findings

The report, now in its third edition, covers 759 publicly listed companies across the GCC. The total number of board seats has risen to 5,755, with 341 women holding 403 positions. This marks a 2.1% increase in women directors and a 3.3% rise in board positions held by women.

## Country and Sector Insights

The UAE leads the region with women holding 15% of board seats, followed by Bahrain at 10.5% and Oman at 7%. The financial sector has the highest number of female board members, with significant representation also in the industrial sector.

## Commentary

Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan of Aurora50 praised the UAE's progress, noting the increase from 3.5% to 15% since 2020. Professor Dame Heather McGregor of Heriot-Watt University emphasized the importance of consistent progress and the potential for broader regional acceleration.

## Conclusion

The GCC Board Gender Index serves as a crucial benchmark for tracking gender diversity in boardrooms, providing valuable data for stakeholders and highlighting ongoing progress in the region.

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