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Legal quota for women on company boards

What this indicator measures

The law is examined on one point: whether it imposes a mandatory quota of women on company boards of directors. The score is full from 40%, and intermediate for a lower quota or a requirement to have at least one woman. Data from the 2026 edition of "Women, Business and the Law", which describes written laws in force on 1 October 2025 (not their actual enforcement or uncodified customs).

How to read this?

"40% or more" means that the mandatory quota reaches at least 40%; "Lower quota" means that one exists but is below that.

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186countries with data
2025data year(s)

In brief

Legal quota for women on company boards: 186 countries and territories covered. Breakdown: Mandatory quota of 40% or more : 14 ; Lower quota (under 40% or at least one woman) : 25 ; No mandatory quota : 147.

Why this indicator matters

A legal quota of women on company boards is one of the tools chosen to share economic power more equally. Comparing it shows which states have set a mandatory rule.

What makes this indicator vary

States choose between a requirement, a recommendation or no rule, depending on their economic culture and their debates on equality. Quotas are recent and sometimes introduced in stages, first for large companies.

Reading precautions

The indicator only measures whether a written requirement exists, not the actual number of women or the penalties applied. The rules may apply only to certain companies, for example listed or public ones.

Legal quota for women on company boards

Mandatory quota of 40% or more (14)

Lower quota (under 40% or at least one woman) (25)

No mandatory quota (147)

Frequently asked questions

Where does the "Legal quota for women on company boards" data come from?

It comes from Banque mondiale – Women, Business and the Law (WBL 2.0). Site last updated: November 8, 2026. Each country is shown with the year of its most recent value.

What exactly does this indicator measure?

It checks whether the law imposes a quota of women on company boards of directors, and whether that quota is high or lower, or does not exist.

Does a quota guarantee the presence of women?

A law sets an obligation, but the result depends on its scope, deadlines and penalties. The indicator therefore does not say how many women actually sit on boards.

Source and update

Source : Banque mondiale – Women, Business and the Law (WBL 2.0). Site last updated: November 8, 2026.

Indicators in the same category : Women's rights