The UAE tops the gender diversity index across the Gulf states for the third year in a row

Heriot-Watt University and Aurora50 have released the GCC Boards of Directors Gender Diversity Index Report 2026, which represents the third edition of this comprehensive study of women’s representation on the boards of listed companies in the GCC.

For the third year in a row, this report remains the only indicator of its kind that provides a unified vision for the formation of boards of directors in all local stock exchanges in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The results confirm continued and incremental progress towards more inclusive institutional leadership across the region.

Key findings of this report include:

• As of January 2026, women hold 7% of board positions in the GCC, compared to 6.9% in 2025, reflecting an annual increase of 1.4%. Although growth remains gradual, the data indicates continued momentum in promoting gender diversity on boards.

• The index currently includes 759 companies listed on the stock exchange in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Over the past year, the total number of board seats increased from 5,668 to 5,755, representing an increase of 1.5%.

• 341 women currently hold 403 board seats, compared to 334 women and 390 seats in 2025. This reflects growth in both the number of women on boards (2.1%) and the number of positions they hold (3.3%) in the GCC. Some women hold more than one board position, indicating a broader increase in representation and participation at the board level.

• Country-level data shows that the UAE continues to lead the region for the third year in a row, with women holding 15% of board seats on its three stock exchanges, compared to 14.7% in 2025. Bahrain maintains second place, with women holding 10.5% of board seats, followed by Oman with 7%.

By country, the percentage of women occupying board positions in companies listed on the stock exchange in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is distributed as follows:

• United Arab Emirates: 15.0% (191 seats out of 1,274)

• Bahrain: 10.5% (36 seats out of 342)

• Oman: 7.0% (51 seats out of 731)

• Kuwait: 5.6% (52 seats out of 927)

• Qatar: 3.2% (15 seats out of 467)

• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: 2.9% (58 seats out of 2014)

This year’s report also includes a sectoral analysis covering 12 sectors in all six Gulf Cooperation Council countries. It is worth noting that the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are the only countries in the region where women hold positions on boards of directors in all sectors. The financial sector has the largest number of female board seats, followed by the industrial sector.

• The top three sectors in the UAE in terms of the number of seats held by women on boards of directors are financial services, with 86 out of 564 positions; The industrial sector, with 35 out of 214 positions; and basic consumer goods, with 15 out of 94 positions.

For her part, Her Highness Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Aurora50, commented on the launch of the index of women’s representation on the boards of directors of companies in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for the year 2026, saying: “Aurora50 is proud to partner for the third time with Heriot-Watt University Dubai in this reliable reference index at the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which continues to provide systematic follow-up and transparent data that reflects the reality of the region and serves it. It is encouraging To witness the progress that the UAE has made in this field, as the percentage of women’s representation on boards of directors has increased from 3.5% to 15% since 2020, and this is clear evidence of the vision of the UAE’s leadership in promoting gender equality in the work environment.

She added: “The presence of women on boards of directors contributes to providing broader visions, enhancing governance, and significantly supporting the growth of institutions. At a time when the world requires flexible and adaptable business leaders, I hope that the value of diversity will continue to be appreciated and utilized optimally.”

Professor Heather MacGregor, Dean and Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, said: “Over time, the Gender Equality Index on Corporate Boards in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries has become an essential reference for understanding the development of these boards at the regional level.”

She continued: “This year’s results highlight not only the growing level of representation, but also the sustainability of this progress, supported by a continuing expansion in the scope of data and insights. The UAE continues to provide a tangible model of what can be achieved through continued action, but there is a clear opportunity to accelerate the pace of this progress on a broader scale across the region.”