Only 60% of women see equal opportunity in tech, says Acronis report

A new global report from Acronis has revealed a persistent gender divide in the technology industry, with only 60% of women believing they have equal access to career development compared with 75% of men. The findings underscore ongoing disparities in leadership opportunities, workplace bias, and work-life balance.

The 2025 Women in Tech Report, titled “FOMO at Work: The Opportunity Gap Between Men and Women in Tech,” surveyed more than 650 IT professionals across eight countries, uncovering clear differences in perception between men and women about fairness and advancement in the sector.

According to the survey, 63% of women said work-life balance challenges significantly affect their career progression, while 67% believe they must work longer hours to advance—compared to 56% of men. Bias remains a major hurdle: 41% of women cited stereotypes and discrimination as barriers to entering or advancing in cybersecurity roles.

“Closing the gender gap requires more than good intentions,” said Alona Geckler, Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Chief of Staff at Acronis. “Organizations must expand leadership opportunities, confront bias directly, and create workplaces where balance and advancement can coexist.”

The report also found that 52% of women worry about missing career-defining opportunities due to family responsibilities, compared with 42% of men, a finding Acronis describes as “FOMO at work.”

Despite growing awareness, women still represent only 29% of the global tech workforce. Acronis said the data highlights the need for targeted programs such as mentorship initiatives and women-focused leadership development to help close the opportunity gap.

“For companies across the tech sector, listening to women’s experiences and addressing bias can help unlock innovation,” said Melyssa Banda, Senior Vice President at Seagate Technology.

The report concludes that while progress has been made, deep-rooted perception gaps continue to shape women’s experiences in tech—and closing those gaps remains essential to achieving true workplace equity.