A new report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has highlighted the enduring gender gap in global trade, showing that women’s contribution to export value-added remains significantly lower than that of men. Despite progress in various industries, structural barriers such as limited access to financing and restricted opportunities in high-value sectors continue to hinder women’s participation.
The report, titled Women in Trade: The Unrecognized Contribution to Global Exports, underscores the disparity across different economic sectors. While women achieve their highest representation in the service industry, their presence in manufacturing and agriculture remains disproportionately low. The study attributes these gaps to systemic challenges, including weaker labor protections and restricted integration into major corporate networks.
Regional Disparities and Sectoral Trends
Data presented in the report show that women’s contributions to export value-added vary widely across global regions. In developed economies, women account for 40% of total export value-added—twice the rate observed in Africa. Latin America and Asia similarly reflect stark differences, with men’s contributions consistently doubling those of women across industries.
Sectoral breakdowns reveal further distinctions. Women contribute 45% of export value-added in services across developed economies, while in Latin America, the figure stands at 43%. However, their participation drops in manufacturing and agriculture, where contributions hover around one-third. Interestingly, in emerging Asian markets, women exhibit stronger involvement in agriculture (39%) and manufacturing (38%) compared to services (36%).
The industrial sector, which generates 56% of global export value-added, continues to employ fewer women than men, with their share ranging between 20% and 40%. Exceptions can be found in countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, where women’s contributions exceed 50%, largely due to the dominance of textile and apparel exports.
Addressing Structural Barriers
Although services account for 25% of total global exports, the report points out that women’s participation in the sector varies significantly between economies. In developing countries, the female contribution to service export value-added spans from just 2% to 60%, while in developed nations, it falls between 30% and 50%.
The agricultural sector provides employment opportunities for large numbers of women in developing economies, yet challenges such as restricted land access, insufficient financial support, and limited technological advancement remain significant obstacles. Countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos demonstrate higher female participation due to supportive policies that enhance women’s access to resources and opportunities.
Ultimately, the UNCTAD report stresses that closing the gender gap in trade requires targeted measures at the national level. Policymakers must analyze the specific barriers within their economies and implement solutions that facilitate women’s access to high-value industries. Without such interventions, the undervaluation of women’s contributions to global trade will continue, hindering economic progress and deepening structural inequalities.
