The UK tech sector is losing women as they hit their stride, according to new UK-wide independent research.
The research, commissioned by cybersecurity and cloud computing company Akamai, reveals that women are leaving tech roles at a pivotal point in their careers, taking years of expertise and experience with them. However, the study reveals better pay, work-life balance and hybrid working would encourage a return.
The new research, based on 1,500 women across the UK – 1,000 of which have left a tech role and 500 who have returned to a tech role after a career break – reveals:
- 55% of women leave tech roles or tech companies within 5 years of being in the industry, and nearly 9 in 10 (87%) leave within 10 years.
- Company culture plays a key role in women leaving the sector, with lack of a sense of belonging (52%) and lack of gender diversity in leadership (40%) ranking highest.
- Nearly 4 in 10 (39%) women who have left tech said they would be likely to consider returning under the right conditions.
- 15% are not currently working, while other women have moved into finance (13%), education (13%), professional services (12%) and healthcare (12%).
- Of those that returned to the tech sector, higher salary (52%), work-life balance (43%) and better career progression (43%) were cited as key reasons.
Bringing women back to tech
The decision to leave, for most women, was by choice rather than necessity. More than a third (35%) said they left entirely by choice and did not want to return, while 31% said they left mostly by choice and preferred their current situation. So, what would it take for them to choose differently, and return to tech?
Nearly 4 in 10 (39%) women who have left tech said they would be likely to consider returning under the right conditions. 38% cited improved work-life balance and flexible working arrangements (37%) – like part-time, a compressed workweek or job share opportunities – or hybrid working (38%) would encourage them to return to tech.
Of the women polled who had returned to tech after a career break, the findings are clear: Higher salary (52%), work-life balance (43%) and better career progression (43%) are valued most highly.
The talent drain
Findings show that women are leaving tech at the critical mid-to-senior junction – taking years of expertise and experience with them.
Company culture plays a key role in women leaving the sector. Respondents cited lack of gender diversity in leadership (52%), lack of company culture and a sense of belonging (52%) and gender bias (10%) as reasons to leave the UK tech industry. Among those that have left the tech sector, inflexible working hours (56%) and a lack of work-life balance (42%) were also cited as significant reasons to leave.
The research was conducted by Censuswide in March 2026.
