Akamai has published new research suggesting that nearly nine in ten women leave the technology sector within a decade of joining, with pay, progression, flexibility, and workplace culture among the main reasons cited.
The study found that more than half of women exit the industry within five years, while the average career length for a woman in tech is around six years. The pattern points to an attrition problem well beyond entry-level recruitment, with women leaving during mid-career stages when many would ordinarily be progressing into more senior and specialist roles.
According to the findings, women are leaving because of insufficient working conditions, limited opportunities for career progression, and inadequate remuneration. Other reasons cited include a lack of visible role models, weak flexibility and accommodation, and the absence of an inclusive workplace culture.
The research also found that women make up around a quarter of the tech workforce, while only a small proportion reach leadership positions. That gap between representation and seniority sits alongside a wider skills shortage in the sector, with the loss of mid-career women estimated to cost the UK economy between £2 billion and £3.5 billion each year.
Many of those leaving move into sectors including finance, education, and healthcare, taking experience and technical knowledge with them. The study suggests the issue is less about attracting women into the industry than keeping them there long enough to progress.
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said: “There is a clear and often overlooked link between digital exclusion and the retention of women in the tech sector. When workplaces fail to provide inclusive, accessible environments, whether through equitable access to tools, flexible working, or supportive cultures, it can reinforce barriers that disproportionately impact women and ultimately drive them out of the industry.
“This lack of inclusion within the sector has wider consequences. If the people designing and delivering technology do not reflect the diversity of those using it, we risk embedding exclusion into the digital services that underpin everyday life. Representation in tech is therefore not just a workforce issue, but a critical factor in ensuring technology works for everyone, particularly those already at risk of digital exclusion.
“By building a more inclusive digital economy and addressing the 19 million people in the UK who remain in digital poverty, prioritising equitable access to digital devices and skills development, organisations have an opportunity not only to retain women in tech, but to help build a more inclusive digital economy that leaves no one behind.”
Sheila Flavell CBE, COO of FDM Group, said, “The findings that almost 90 percent of women leave the tech industry within a decade highlight a challenge we can no longer ignore. Upskilling and reskilling women in digital skills must be a priority.
“To make that possible, businesses and government need to work together to create clear pathways into technical and leadership roles and invest in training that equips women with in-demand digital and AI skills.
“This also means providing dedicated pathways for women returners looking to re-enter the workforce after a career break, ensuring experienced talent is not lost to the tech sector.”
The research also found that a significant proportion of women who have already left would consider returning under improved conditions, including better pay, clearer progression, flexible working, and more inclusive workplace cultures.
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