FidAR WoB Index: Rising Female Representation in German Boards

The gender quota for supervisory boards, introduced nine years ago in Germany, is showing promising results. According to the latest FidAR Women-on-Board (WoB) Index, the proportion of women in supervisory boards of German listed companies reached 37.3% as of May 2024. The representation rate in management boards is approaching 20%, indicating progress but highlighting the necessity for further action.

Despite these gains, only 65 companies are obliged by recent regulations, and Koenig & Bauer, Südzucker, and Wüstenrot & Württembergische still lack female board representation. Encouragingly, 31 women have joined management boards since early 2023.

While statutory quotas have increased female participation, many companies with no women on their boards remain stagnant in their target-setting. The 104 companies under supervisory board quotas show higher female representation compared to those exempt.

Federal Minister for Women Lisa Paus emphasized that legal requirements are successful but stressed the need for companies to enhance their pace. President Anja Seng of FidAR supports expanding quotas to more companies, based on the EU model, to foster equal gender representation in all management levels.

Overall, FidAR’s findings stress the importance of binding rules and transparent strategies, moving towards a goal of equal representation in the German economy.