tech
April 16, 2026
Why Do 87% of Women Leave Tech Within a Decade?
Structural barriers are driving women from tech roles, undermining AI development and weakening cybersecurity resilience across the global industry
TL;DR
- 55% of women leave tech roles within five years, with 87% departing within a decade.
- Key reasons for departure include lack of belonging (52%), insufficient gender diversity in leadership (40%), and struggles with work-life balance due to inflexible hours (56%).
- Women are migrating to sectors like finance, education, professional services, and healthcare.
- The exodus of women from cybersecurity is particularly detrimental to building comprehensive defence systems.
- Nearly 40% of women who left tech would consider returning under the right conditions, such as higher salary, better work-life balance, career progression, and flexible working.
- Rebuilding structures to be more inclusive and supportive is key to retaining and attracting female talent in tech.
Continue reading the original article