Gender equality has been a business priority at IKEA for decades, rooted in the belief that an inclusive workplace strengthens both business and everyday life for the many. Today, gender equality is integrated into work processes, from recruitment and development to promotion and succession, ensuring that opportunities are fair and accessible for everyone.
Through this long-term commitment, Ingka Group has reached and maintained gender balance across management and leadership positions, with women holding 49.8% of these roles and representing 53.4% of co-workers across the business (FY25). Half of the CEOs in the retail markets are women.
But representation is only one part of the equation. Ingka Group recognises the diverse needs of all genders across different life stages and remains committed to creating a psychologically safe and inclusive environment.
This means fostering a workplace where co-workers feel able to be themselves, are treated fairly, and have equal opportunities to grow, contribute, and lead.
Alejandra Piñol, Global People and Culture Manager at Ingka Group
“Our focus is not only on creating equal access to opportunities, but on building an environment where people feel genuinely heard and valued. When co-workers feel safe to speak up and confident that their perspectives matter, we unlock the full strength and diversity of our teams. That is what drives better outcomes for our business and for the many people we serve.”
An inclusive workplace is central to how Ingka Group approaches leadership overall. Getting a seat at the table is only the beginning; what truly matters is that every voice is respected and able to influence decisions. Balanced leadership teams bring broader perspectives, spark more innovation and support stronger, more resilient organisations.
Ingka Group is committed to equal pay for work of equal value and to achieving a zero gender pay gap. The gender pay gap at Ingka Group was reduced to 3.4% last year*, down from 4% in FY24 and significantly below the EU average of 11.1% (Eurostat, 2024)**.
“We are proud of the progress we’ve made, but know much work remains to be done. We want to close the pay gap, sustain gender balance and expand opportunities for all co-workers. Gender equality is not a destination, because people and situations change all the time across a large organisation. The same goes for the gender pay gap — even if we close it one year, it can shift the next. That’s why equality is not a milestone, but a continuous commitment,” said Piñol.
Committed to gender equality
IKEA is dedicated to driving awareness of the importance of gender equality and co-worker wellbeing. Since 2002, gender equality has been a business priority for IKEA. A more equal workplace creates a stronger business and a better everyday life. Gender equality is integrated into work processes, from bias-reducing recruitment practices such as not asking for salary history, to development and succession. Recognising the unique needs of all genders throughout various life stages, we are committed to creating a psychologically safe and inclusive working environment where co-workers feel safe to be themselves, are treated fairly, and are given equal opportunities. At IKEA, we will continue focusing on equal opportunities at work, as well as championing equality at home.
*The reported 3.4% gender pay gap is based on Ingka Group’s financial year 2025 (FY25), covering the period from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.
**Eurostat – Gender pay gap statistics (2024) – https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Gender_pay_gap_statistics
About Ingka Group
With IKEA retail operations in 32 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents 87% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Read more on Ingka.com.
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