GenAI Skills Gender Gap Narrows Worldwide, Yet Disparities Remain in Developed Economies

Introduction

As the world observes International Women's Day, a new report from Coursera reveals important developments in the global effort to close the gender gap in critical skill domains, particularly in Generative AI (GenAI) and human competencies like critical thinking. With IDC research projecting that GenAI could boost global wealth by up to USD 22.3 trillion by 2030, ensuring equitable access to these skills is vital for fair distribution of economic gains. The report, titled One Year Later: The Gender Gap in GenAI, follows up on Coursera's earlier analysis and offers a detailed look at progress and pitfalls over the past year.

Global Progress in Narrowing the GenAI Gender Gap

Overall Enrollment Trends

The data reveals clear and encouraging signs of progress. One year after the initial analysis, women's share of total GenAI enrollments on Coursera rose from 32% in 2024 to 36% in 2025. This increase demonstrates that while women remain underrepresented globally, the gender gap is steadily closing. The acceleration is particularly noteworthy given the explosive growth in GenAI participation across all demographics—indicating that women's engagement with the technology is growing faster than that of their male counterparts.

Enterprise Learners Leading the Way

Within the enterprise segment, the improvement is even more pronounced. Women represented 36% of GenAI enrollments on Coursera in 2024, a figure that jumped to 42% by 2025. This suggests that corporate training initiatives and workplace upskilling programs are playing a pivotal role in fostering gender parity in GenAI education.

Regional Variations: Where Women Are Gaining Ground

Latin America: A Surge in Female Participation

Latin American nations have recorded remarkable growth. The region's share of GenAI enrollments from female learners doubled year-over-year. Standout performers include Peru (+14.5 percentage points), Mexico (+5.3 percentage points), and Colombia (+4.5 percentage points). These gains underscore the effectiveness of targeted educational policies and regional initiatives to boost women's digital skills.

Asia Pacific: Steady Improvement

Across the Asia Pacific region, consistent narrowing of the GenAI gender gap is evident. Uzbekistan stands out globally with an 8.8 percentage point increase in female enrollments. In India—Coursera's largest market for GenAI enrollments—women's share rose by 2.2 percentage points. Other countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines also posted year-over-year gains, reflecting a broad-based commitment to bridging the gender divide.

Challenges in Developed Economies

English-Speaking Nations See Decline

Despite global progress, many English-speaking and economically developed countries are moving in the opposite direction. In the United States (-0.9 percentage points), Canada (-1.0 percentage point), the United Kingdom (-1.8 percentage points), Spain (-1.1 percentage points), and Germany (-0.2 percentage points), women now account for a smaller share of total GenAI enrollments in 2025 than in 2024. This troubling trend suggests that in these wealthier nations, men's participation in GenAI learning is outpacing women's at a faster rate, potentially due to existing workforce biases or lack of targeted support.

The Critical Role of Human Skills

The report also highlights that beyond GenAI, essential human competencies like Critical Thinking remain vital. As automation and AI reshape job roles, the ability to analyze, evaluate, and create new ideas becomes indispensable. Gender gaps in these areas can have long-term consequences for leadership and innovation. While the report focuses on GenAI, it underscores that closing the gap in both technical and soft skills is necessary to prepare women for the future of work.

Conclusion: A Call for Continued Action

The Coursera report offers a mixed but hopeful picture. While global progress in narrowing the GenAI gender gap is undeniable, persistent regional disparities—especially in developed economies—demand renewed efforts from governments, educational institutions, and employers. To ensure that the USD 22.3 trillion in potential GenAI-driven wealth is shared equitably, stakeholders must commit to inclusive upskilling programs, mentorship, and awareness campaigns. As we observe International Women's Day, these findings serve as both a celebration of gains and a reminder of the work still ahead.