This annual research provides essential insights for leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to build a data industry that’s inclusive, equitable, and representative.
Over the past year, reports and predictions about the future of Data, AI, and Tech have flooded our feeds. Analysts, think tanks, and consultancies agree – we are living through the Fourth Industrial Revolution, powered by artificial intelligence and automation.
The UK AI market alone was valued at £16.8 billion in 2024 according to the US International Trade Administration and is forecast to reach by 2035. According to Forbes, Adoption is accelerating, and nearly seven in ten large organisations now use at least one AI technology. From Agentic AI to dynamic data strategies to regulatory frameworks, the pace of change is vast.
But amid all this innovation and optimism, one critical question remains unanswered:
What does this digital transformation mean for the people behind the data and particularly, for women in the industry?
Much has been written about technology, but far less about the human impact. How are people experiencing these changes? What’s helping them thrive – or holding them back?
Despite widespread awareness and a decade of action, the gender gap in Data, AI, and Tech remains stubbornly wide. Women continue to be underrepresented, underpromoted, and underpaid, causing women to leave the industry while attrition rates stay high and the gender pay gap persists.
Government initiatives, progressive organisations, and communities like Women in Data® are doubling down – but progress depends on understanding the lived experiences of those within the field. That’s where you come in.
To truly build an inclusive and equitable data industry, we need to move beyond statistics to stories – the lived realities of those shaping and being shaped by this fast-moving landscape.
The State of the Nation Survey gives data practitioners like you a voice. It explores key themes that shape your working life and career trajectory. This year our survey is powered by Yonder as our strategic insights partner.
Demographics – Who’s shaping the data industry?
Help us understand who’s in the industry – and who’s missing.
Your profile helps us view the findings through the right lens, uncover gaps in gender, background, and experience and guide inclusive policies.
Learning & Development – Are you getting the skills you need?
In a fast-evolving data landscape, continuous learning is key.
Tell us how well your organisation supports your growth, agility, and career progression.
In 2024, women were more likely to take up available L&D budgets and rated coaching and learning cultures highly, with 36% of respondents reporting access to a personal L&D fund.
Diversity & Inclusion – How inclusive is your workplace, really?
Diverse teams shape innovation, decision-making, and performance – especially in data-led environments. It’s well evidenced that diverse data teams bring broader perspectives, reduce algorithmic bias, and create solutions that better reflect society. Inclusion isn’t just a value – it’s a strategic advantage.
In our 2024 survey, it was revealed men still outnumber women 4:1 in data roles. We want to understand how your organisation measures up today.
Working Patterns, Pay & Lived Experience – What does work feel like now?
As hybrid and office-based work return, how is it shaping your wellbeing, flexibility, and sense of belonging?
In 2024, 64% of data professionals considered leaving their job highlighting challenges in retention. With hybrid work now adopted by over 70% of UK organisations and salaries rising to an average £80,000, we want to know: has this trend shifted?
AI adoption is accelerating, but how ready are teams to implement it effectively?
In 2024, only 48% of respondents felt they had a mature data strategy aligned with AI. The 2025 survey explores opportunities, challenges, and skills gaps, helping leaders implement AI strategically and sustainably.
The Value Exchange: Why your input matters
By taking just 20 minutes, you’ll be contributing to a landmark study that will:
Roisin McCarthy, Founder of Women in Data® said:
“As an industry, we perform comparatively well against other sectors. Yet despite more than a decade of awareness, visible gender gaps persist. The Women in Data® State of the Nation provides a crucial opportunity to capture where we stand today – to highlight challenges, guide investment, and shape policy, strategy, and talent development. We therefore urge all data professionals to take part in our survey so that together, we can help drive meaningful change”.
Michael Simmonds, CEO, Yonder Consulting said:
“At Yonder, our core belief is that credible insight is the catalyst for transformation. We must inspire more girls into STEM, but, just as critically, we must solve the worrying attrition rate of the female talent already in our workforce. We know tackling a problem of this scale requires more than good intentions; it requires unimpeachable data. This is why we are proud to partner with Women in Data® on their 2025 State of the Nation report: to provide the hard evidence and insight needed to drive that fundamental change.”
Michael Simmonds, CEO, Yonder Consulting.
The survey can be completed here.
About Yonder
Yonder is a strategic transformation company where insight and imagination combine to create lasting impact. Headquartered in London with teams in New York and Riyadh, we blend research, data science, strategy and creativity to help businesses shape the future.
Powered by proprietary data and deep customer insights, we reveal the connections between human behaviour, innovation and growth. As agents of change, we give clients confidence in possibility – unlocking potential in every challenge.
