Nearly 85% of the global population holds at least one gender bias against women, according to the latest Gender Social Norms Index 2023 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), highlighting that stereotypes remain one of the biggest barriers to achieving true gender equality.
Despite progress in legislation, policies, and the formal representation of women, the report emphasizes that social norms are changing much more slowly than institutional frameworks. The reduction in gender biases has been minimal — from 86.9% in the 2010–2014 period to 84.6% in 2017–2022.
The study, covering 80 countries and more than 85% of the world’s population, shows that gender biases exist among both men and women, but are more pronounced among men, indicating stronger support for traditional gender roles.
According to the data, the highest level of gender bias is linked to women’s physical integrity — attitudes related to violence and reproductive rights — where 75% of respondents express stereotypical beliefs.
Political and economic biases also remain significant: 61% of people believe men are better political leaders, while 60% hold views that favor men in the labor market.
The report notes that these attitudes contribute to the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions, as well as the persistence of the gender pay gap.
The lowest level of bias is recorded in education, where only 28% of respondents believe that higher education is more important for men than for women. This is seen as evidence that long-term policies and investments can help shift social norms.
However, UNDP warns that progress in education does not automatically translate into the economic and political spheres, where barriers remain significant.
The report further highlights that even when women are present in politics and business, they often lack equal access to decision-making power. This results in a so-called “vertical gap,” meaning underrepresentation in top leadership positions.
UNDP stresses that gender biases are formed early in life through family, education, media, and the workplace, and often persist even when individuals do not consciously support them.
The report concludes that without faster changes in social attitudes, institutional progress alone will not be enough to achieve true gender equality.
