06 Feb 2026 2 min read learning

Women in Learning: State of the Industry Report LT26

Collated and edited by Sharon Claffey Kaliouby, from data gathered across the last 15 years of Women in Learning events, and over 250 contributors, The Women in Learning: State of the Industry 2025 report isn't just a collection of data; it’s a strategic blueprint for the next era of leadership.

Women in Learning Learning Technologies 2026

While women power nearly 65% of the Learning and Development workforce, they hold fewer than 20% of C-suite positions. This report serves as a "Structural Warning," drawing parallels to the history of computer programming to ensure women aren't systematically pushed out of high-status roles as AI integrates into the sector. It is time to move beyond individual survival and toward collective influence.

Key takeaways from the report:

The Representation Paradox: Women make up 65% of the L&D workforce , yet hold less than 20% of C-suite roles.
The "Office Housework" Tax: Women are 48% more likely to volunteer for non-promotable tasks , costing them the strategic time needed to reach the top.
Debunking the "Ask" Myth: Women ask for raises just as often as men , but men are 33% more likely to actually receive them.
The 2026 Flexibility Stigma: Remote work has created a hidden promotion penalty for women that their male colleagues simply don't face.
The "Queen Hive" Strategy: Shifting from individual survival to collective influence can nearly double female promotion rates.