Women are closing the gender gap in generative AI skills faster than ever, but developed English-speaking nations are falling behind, according to a new Coursera report released ahead of International Women’s Day.
The report, One Year Later: The Gender Gap in GenAI, shows that women’s share of GenAI course enrollments globally rose from 32% in 2024 to 36% in 2025 — a clear sign of progress. Among enterprise learners, women now account for 42% of GenAI enrollments, up from 36% the previous year.
Background
Generative AI is projected to boost the global economy by up to $22.3 trillion by 2030, according to IDC research. Ensuring equal access to these skills is critical to distributing that wealth fairly.
Coursera’s analysis tracks enrollment data from its platform, comparing gender participation in GenAI courses over the past year. The original report last year highlighted a significant gap, prompting renewed efforts to close it.
“The acceleration in women’s GenAI learning is encouraging, especially given the explosive growth in overall participation,” said Dr. Elena Martinez, a gender equity researcher at the Global Skills Institute. “But the regional disparities demand urgent attention.”
Regional Highlights
Latin America doubled its share of female GenAI learners year-over-year. Standout performers include Peru (+14.5 percentage points), Mexico (+5.3), and Colombia (+4.5).
In Asia Pacific, Uzbekistan achieved the largest global gain — an 8.8 percentage point increase. India, Coursera’s biggest GenAI market, saw a 2.2 percentage point rise, while Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines also recorded gains.
“Countries with strong government-led upskilling initiatives are seeing the fastest progress,” noted Coursera’s chief data scientist, Mark Thompson. “Their policies are directly translating into more women learning these critical skills.”
Developed Nations Falling Behind
In contrast, many English-speaking and economically advanced countries saw women’s share of GenAI enrollments decline. The United States dropped 0.9 percentage points, Canada 1.0, the United Kingdom 1.8, Spain 1.1, and Germany 0.2.
This reverse trend suggests that men in these nations are enrolling at a faster rate, widening the relative gap.
- United States: -0.9 pp
- Canada: -1.0 pp
- United Kingdom: -1.8 pp
- Spain: -1.1 pp
- Germany: -0.2 pp
What This Means
The findings indicate that targeted education and policy interventions can rapidly shrink skill gaps. Without similar efforts in developed economies, women may miss out on high-wage GenAI jobs — exacerbating existing economic inequalities.
“If the $22 trillion economic windfall is to benefit everyone, we cannot afford to let advanced nations become laggards on gender equity in AI,” Thompson said. “Every country needs a deliberate strategy — and the data shows it works when they try.”
As International Women’s Day approaches, the report serves as both a milestone and a challenge: progress is possible, but it requires sustained commitment — especially where it’s most needed.