The most powerful women in the world in 2024

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a session of the European Parliament in France on November 27.

As economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions reshape the global order in 2024, a key question arises about whether women's power is progressing or regressing.

In fact, according to Forbes magazine, men still dominate, with three of the world's four largest economies never led by women. US Vice President Kamala Harris failed in her bid to become the first female president of the country with the world's largest economy.

The Big Five of Silicon Valley has never had a female CEO, while on Wall Street, among the big banks, only Citigroup has a female CEO, Jane Fraser. Overall, women lead just 8% of the companies in the S&P 500.

Profound change

But focusing solely on these numbers misses a profound shift that Forbes’ 2024 list of the world’s 100 most powerful women reveals. While established hierarchies remain intact, women are increasingly taking control at key stages of the transformation of industries.

From AI infrastructure to market systems to policy frameworks, their decisions pervade many sectors and societies. Their influence comes not from traditional authority but from strategic positions at the intersection of change, representing a new and potentially more influential kind of power.

European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde speaks to the press in Frankfurt (Germany) on December 12.

This power dynamic is evident at the pinnacle of global influence. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (ranked No. 1) and European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde (ranked No. 2) together shape the fate of the EU’s $18 trillion economy. Their decisions impact everything from AI regulation to climate policy.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (ranked No. 3) leads the European Union's (EU) third-largest economy during a crucial transition. Meanwhile, Claudia Sheinbaum (ranked No. 4), Mexico's first female president, leads the world's 15th-largest economy at a time of regional transformation.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks at a press conference in Finland on December 22.

Make a big impression

Perhaps most notable is the impact of women coming from unlikely places. At just 22, basketball sensation Caitlin Clark (No. 100) demonstrates how quickly the rules of power can change.

The American basketball star has swept men's championships and broken WNBA viewership records before her first professional game. The "Caitlin Clark Phenomenon" has caused many to rethink their assumptions about market value and economic potential. The impact of young female athletes has extended beyond sports to media rights, advertising, and cultural expectations.

Female basketball player Caitlin Clark becomes a phenomenon attracting much attention

This shift is evident in other areas as well. As president of SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell (No. 25) has built the company into a $210 billion force in commercial space, trusted by NASA, the U.S. military, and the European Space Agency for their most important missions.

Not only is Taylor Swift (No. 23) breaking touring records with her billion-dollar Eras tour, she's also rewriting the economics of the music industry, spurring federal antitrust scrutiny and reshaping how artists approach ownership and touring.

“As traditional power structures are being tested and transformed, this year’s honorees demonstrate that their influence can extend far beyond conventional power,” said Moira Forbes, Forbes Executive Vice President.

“From finance and technology to policy and culture, these women are driving transformations where industries and economies are being reinvented, proving that their collective impact has never been greater,” she said.

Selection criteria

The women named to this year's list represent six categories: business, technology, finance, media & entertainment, politics & policy, and philanthropy. To determine the rankings in each category, as well as the overall ranking of the 2024 list of the 100 Most Powerful Women, Forbes applied four criteria: money, media, impact, and sphere of influence. "The women named are builders, changemakers, and innovators across the corporate and creative worlds, with a modern, forward-looking view of power," according to Forbes .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-nguoi-phu-nu-quyen-luc-nhat-the-gioi-nam-2024-185241226104959473.htm