Women in the Workplace: Asian Women

Every year, Lean In and McKinsey & Co. conduct Women in the Workplace, the largest study on the state of women in corporate America. Our data make it clear that there is no single story of women at work. Read on to learn more about the distinct biases and barriers Asian women face.

Asian women face distinct biases and barriers in corporate America.

Since 2016, Lean In and McKinsey & Company have conducted Women in the Workplace, the largest study on the state of women in corporate America. Each year, the findings clearly show that there is no single story of women at work.

For the many Asian women who work in professions dominated by men, the challenges are even more acute. Asian women who are "double Onlys"—often both the only woman and the only Asian person in the room—have a particularly bad experience. They're more likely to experience disrespectful and undermining behavior, to feel that promotions aren't based on objective criteria, and to be unhappy with their company. On top of all this, Asian women have had to contend with a sharp increase in anti-Asian discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our data show that 1 in 4 Asian women—and an even greater share of East Asian women—has personally experienced trauma due to racial bias in the past year, and some sources suggest this number is much higher.

Despite these challenges, Asian women remain highly motivated. Compared to women overall, they are more likely to ask for promotions and far more likely to want to be a top executive. And when they rise, they lead with purpose. Asian women are significantly more likely than women overall to say they want a top role so they can make a positive impact on the world.

The narrative is based on data from Lean In and McKinsey & Company's 2021 Women in the Workplace study. While it sheds light on some of the distinct experiences of Asian women, it is by no means comprehensive. Women face multiple biases due to many aspects of their identity.