A recent collaboration between The Lovelace Report 2025 and WeAreTechWomen has revealed alarming statistics regarding women’s participation in the UK tech sector. Each year, between 40,000 and 60,000 women exit this industry, leading to an economic impact estimated between £2 billion to £3.5 billion annually.
The reasons for women leaving the tech sector vary; some exit the industry altogether, while others transfer to different tech employers. The financial loss attributed to these exits is significant, with approximately £1.4 billion to £2.2 billion lost annually from women leaving their roles, alongside an additional £640 million to £1.3 billion lost from their churn when they switch employers.
Current Landscape of Women in Tech
Currently, women represent only about 20% of the workforce in UK tech. The report focuses on understanding the slow career progression of women in this sector and why they may not be staying in their roles long-term.
Reasons for Leaving
The report identifies several factors that contribute to women exiting the tech industry:
- Lack of Career Advancement: 25% of women cited this as a key reason
- Inadequate Recognition: 17% reported feeling insufficiently recognized for their contributions
- Pay Inequity: 15% mentioned disparities in pay as a reason for their departure
Call for Experiences
Are you a woman currently working in tech in the UK or have you recently left your role? Your experiences could provide valuable insights into these findings. We encourage you to share your story through the provided secure form, which can be completed anonymously. All responses will be kept confidential and used solely for the purpose of this feature.
Getting in Touch
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