Women's Earnings and Workforce Participation
Global gender pay gaps narrowed slightly in 2025, with women earning an estimated 82 cents for every dollar earned by men in OECD economies, according to recent reports from the International Labour Organization and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Female labor force participation reached 47.4% in the United States, with the highest rates among women aged 25 to 54 in education, healthcare, and professional services Forbes.
Women-owned businesses grew to over 14 million in the United States, generating more than $2.5 trillion in revenue, according to the National Association of Women Business Owners Forbes. Sectors with the fastest growth include technology, professional services, and e-commerce, where women founders secured a rising share of venture funding in 2024 and 2025.
Spending, Investing, and Financial Products
Women control an estimated $32 trillion in global wealth as of 2025, and their share of investable assets continues to rise, according to McKinsey Global Institute research McKinsey & Company. U.S. women are more likely than men to use robo-advisors and fractional-share platforms, and fintech firms such as Ellevest and Wealthsimple report growing female user bases.
Consumer spending data show women driving growth in categories such as health and wellness, home improvement, and sustainable goods. The SEC reports that retail investor accounts held by women increased by double-digit percentages in recent years, with more women opening brokerage and retirement accounts through digital platforms U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Financial Independence and Education
Financial literacy programs targeting women expanded in 2025, with organizations such as the Global Financial Literacy Excellence Center and nonprofits like Girls Who Code and 10,000 Women offering courses in budgeting, investing, and entrepreneurship Girls Who Code. Companies including JPMorgan Chase, Visa, and Mastercard launched initiatives focused on women's small-business lending and digital payments access.
Data from the World Bank show that women's access to formal bank accounts rose to 74% in developing economies, supported by mobile money and government digital ID programs World Bank. In the United States, women's median retirement account balances increased in 2024 and 2025, though gaps persist due to career interruptions and part-time work patterns.