Women in Alternatives 2023

Progression toward gender balance in the alternatives industry remains marginal at best

Alternative assets continue to be disproportionately male-dominated. Women, particularly women of color, are under-represented at all levels, and the discrepancy is highest in senior positions.

That said, gender balance did improve marginally in the last 12 months. Preqin data shows female employment in the alternatives industry rose to 21.3% overall, up from 20.9% in 2021 (Fig. 1.2). While the percentage is higher among institutional investors, at 24.4%, that proportion exhibited no increase from last year. Given the current trend, and assuming no change, gender equality in the alternatives industry will take until 2065, according to Preqin estimates (Fig. 4.1).