Microsoft has taken first place in Forbes’ World’s Top Companies for Women ranking for 2026. Apple ranks second, followed by Canadian financial-services company Manulife, cosmetics group L’Oréal and French insurer MAIF.
Forbes and market research firm Statista surveyed more than 140,000 women employed by multinational companies across 61 countries to compile this year’s ranking, which is its sixth edition.
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The Top 15
Financial-services businesses account for six of the first 15 places, alongside companies in technology, healthcare, consumer goods and entertainment.
| Rank | Company | Sector |
| 1 | Microsoft | Technology |
| 2 | Apple | Technology |
| 3 | Manulife | Financial services |
| 4 | L’Oréal | Beauty and cosmetics |
| 5 | MAIF | Insurance |
| 6 | Absa Group | Financial services |
| 7 | Desjardins | Financial services |
| 8 | Coca-Cola | Beverages |
| 9 | Johnson & Johnson | Healthcare |
| 10 | Unilever | Consumer goods |
| 11 | Mastercard | Payments |
| 12 | Shopify | E-commerce technology |
| 13 | Netflix | Entertainment |
| 14 | Standard Bank Group | Financial services |
| 15 | Puma | Sportswear |
Source: Forbes’ World’s Top Companies for Women 2026.
How The Ranking Works
Participants assessed employers on working conditions, pay equity, parental leave, promotion opportunities, and how management responds to discrimination concerns. These recommendations and assessments of employers accounted for 50% of each company’s score.
Another 35% reflected women’s perceptions of companies on gender-related matters, including their public communications and initiatives. Women’s representation in executive management and board positions accounted for the remaining 15%.
The ranking therefore combines workplace assessments with public reputation and leadership data. It covers eligible multinational groups with substantial international operations, rather than all employers, and incorporates three years of survey responses, giving greater weight to recent findings.
What Support Looks Like At Ranked Employers
Forbes’ accompanying reporting offers examples of how some companies on the list support women’s careers, from access to mentoring to help with family responsibilities.
At seventh-placed Desjardins, women accounted for more than 60% of employees and held nearly 57% of management positions as of August 2026, according to company figures reported by Forbes.
The Canadian cooperative financial group offers flexible working arrangements, coaching and internal training. Its leadership programmes also address barriers that can affect women differently, including access to professional contacts and senior colleagues who can recommend them for opportunities.
Mastercard, ranked eleventh, combines family benefits with training and opportunities to try different roles. Forbes reports that its benefits include financial assistance for fertility treatment and surrogacy, family counselling and 16 weeks of paid family leave.
Employees can also access on-demand courses and individual leadership training. Mastercard’s Chief People Officer, Susan Muigai, told Forbes that development opportunities are available at every level, including assignments that allow employees to build skills through work beyond their existing responsibilities.
The complete ranking of 400 companies is available on Forbes.
