Companies that invest in gender equality are outperforming their peers across several key business indicators, according to a new global report by Grant Thornton. Businesses committed to diversity reported stronger revenue growth, increased hiring and improved export performance, highlighting that gender-balanced leadership is increasingly emerging as a competitive advantage.
For years, discussions on workplace gender equality have largely been viewed as matters of social responsibility or efforts to meet diversity quotas. However, a new global report suggests this perspective may be changing, as companies investing in gender diversity are increasingly witnessing tangible business benefits.
According to the “Women in Business 2026: The Value of Visibility” report by Grant Thornton, organisations that actively promote gender equality through policies such as fair hiring practices, diverse leadership and equal pay are outperforming others on several key indicators, including revenue growth, recruitment and exports.
The report is based on the Grant Thornton International Business Report, which surveys over 15,000 mid-sized businesses across 35 economies, providing a global overview of leadership trends and workplace policies.
Gender Equality Linked to Stronger Business Performance
One of the key findings of the research is that businesses maintaining gender equality initiatives—and planning to introduce new ones—reported stronger performance in 2025.
Among these companies:
- 73% recorded revenue growth of more than 5%
- 56.2% increased their workforce by over 5%
- 48.8% reported export growth exceeding 5%
In simple terms, companies investing in diversity were not only advancing fairness but were also experiencing faster growth. 📈
The report indicates that leadership teams with greater gender diversity often bring a wider range of perspectives, which can enhance decision-making and help reduce management blind spots.
Mid-market companies appear to recognise this advantage. The study found that 92.7% of firms now have diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives in place, while 75.8% say they remain committed to gender equality policies. Additionally, 36.8% of businesses plan to introduce further measures to strengthen these efforts.
Innovation and Better Decision-Making
Business leaders also reported several practical benefits from having diverse leadership teams. According to the report, organisations with gender-diverse leadership said these changes improved their operations in multiple ways:
- 22.1% said their businesses became more innovative
- 19.5% reported better decision-making within teams
- 18.8% saw improvements in financial performance
Researchers noted that diversity can strengthen how companies assess risks, shape strategies and respond to evolving market conditions.