Women now hold 15 percent of board seats in the UAE, the highest in the Gulf, as the latest GCC Board Gender Index Report 2026 confirms steady gains in female corporate leadership across the region.
Released by Heriot-Watt University Dubai and diversity advocacy group Aurora50, the third edition of the report tracked women's representation on boards of 759 publicly listed companies across the GCC. Region-wide, women held 7 percent of board positions in 2026, a marginal rise from 6.9 percent in 2025.
The numbers tell a story of gradual but consistent growth. A total of 341 women now hold 403 board positions across the GCC, up from 334 women and 390 seats the previous year. That reflects a 2.1 percent increase in women directors and a 3.3 percent rise in positions held. Overall board seats across the region grew from 5,668 to 5,755, a 1.5 percent increase.
The UAE held its top position for the third year running, with women occupying 191 of 1,274 board seats. Bahrain ranked second at 10.5 percent, followed by Oman at 7 percent, Kuwait at 5.6 percent, Qatar at 3.2 percent and Saudi Arabia at 2.9 percent.
Within the UAE, women's board presence was strongest in financial services, where they held 86 of 564 seats, followed by industrials with 35 of 214 and consumer staples with 15 of 94.
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairperson of Aurora50, highlighted the scale of the UAE's transformation, noting that women's board representation in the country has grown from 3.5 percent to 15 percent since 2020.
The index is supported by Board Intelligence, AlixPartners and Grant Thornton.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
