CRIF has examined how the proportion of women represented in management and on the Boards of Directors of Swiss enterprises has evolved over the past ten years. In 2025, the proportion of women in management was about 28.7%; ten years ago, this stood at 25.7%. The proportion of women exercising Board of Directors mandates is lower; this figure is currently 25% (compared with 22.9% in 2015). When viewed against the figures from 2024, however, the proportion of women employed at both the management and Board of Directors levels has only grown by 0.3%.
The Canton of Glarus boasts the highest proportion of women at the management level
The Canton of Glarus has the highest proportion of female managers, at 30.7%, followed by the Cantons of Aargau, Thurgau and Zurich with 30.2% each. At the other end of the rankings lies the Canton of Zug, with a female ratio of 25.6%, placed behind the Canton of Freiburg (25.8%) and the Cantons of Jura and Ticino (26.8%).
The strongest growth in the number of female managers over the past ten years has taken place in the Cantons of Valais (+5.1%), Basel-Land and Neuchâtel (+4.5%).
Basel-Stadt reports the highest ratio at the Board of Directors level
The Canton of Basel-Stadt boasts the highest ratio of women exercising Board of Directors mandates throughout the whole of Switzerland, at 26.7%. This is followed by the Cantons of Aargau and Zurich, at 26.3%, and the Canton of Bern at 26.1%. On the other hand, the Canton of Zug is in last place, with a female ratio of 19.8%.
Major differences between the various sectors
There are significant differences in the level of women in management positions, depending on the sector involved. Women are most strongly represented in veterinary services, at a ratio of 57%. An above-average number of women also work at the management levels of social services (54%) and in the provision of personal services, such as hairdressing and beauty salons (52%). On the other hand, the lowest female ratios are to be found in the sectors involving investigation and security services (11%), civil engineering (13%), mechanical engineering (15%) and construction (15%).
Sectors exhibiting the strongest growth
The highest percentage rise in the number of women in management roles was reported in areas involving the manufacture of chemical products (+11.2%), social services (+9.5%), and broadcasting organisations (+8.3%).
About the survey
This survey includes all those people who are entered into the Commercial Register as managers or as Board of Directors members. The years 2015 and 2025 were compared. The survey was undertaken on 29 January 2026.
Management: percentage ratio of men/women
