As much as 9 percent GDP, i.e. the equivalent of PLN 300 billion – this is how much the Polish economy may gain in nine years if the activity of women in the labor market increases, according to a report by McKinsey & Company, which analyzed the situation of women in the labor market in seven Central and Eastern European countries. Today, although Polish women constitute almost 52 percent of the population and 66 percent of university graduates, they are employed only in 45 percent. What's more, this share may even decrease, because the Covid-19 pandemic prompted a large number of women to consider limiting their professional activity.

"In terms of the participation of women in the labor market, Poland performs well compared to other countries in the Central and Eastern Europe region, although there is still a lot of potential for improvement. Especially when it comes to the highest positions. In Poland, women constitute only 15 percent of management staff – it's 4 percentage points less than the average for the region. Moreover, almost half of the companies have no women on their boards at all, so a lot has to change here," Kamila Kawecka, consultant of McKinsey & Company in Poland, author of the report, said.

In Poland, the lowest percentage of women is found among company CEOs and is only 6 percent. This problem concerns the whole of Central and Eastern Europe. However, it is not the result of, as is often assumed, that the ambitions of women are too low. A survey conducted by McKinsey & Company showed that women had comparable expectations and 57 percent of them are counting on a promotion at work. Among men, this percentage is similar and amounts to 56 percent. On the other hand, 28 percent of women believe that it is their gender that makes it difficult for them to get a raise or promotion, and according to 27 percent of them, the development of a professional career is hampered by problems with maintaining a balance between work and home. For comparison, the same factor is indicated by approx. 20 percent of men.

(Newseria)