The new global Ipsos study shows a world that embraces shared responsibility in theory, but in practice stays tied to old expectations. Between the ideal and the habit, there’s a gap and a growing sense that “enough has been done”.
The story thread
If equality were an app, the world would have downloaded it already: most people want to share household responsibilities. But when the “who does what?” notification pops up, many switch back to traditional mode.
What people say would be ideal
- 73% think childcare should be shared equally.
- 73% say the same about housework (excluding childcare).
- 77% believe major household decisions should be made together.
- 66% think “earning money” should also be split.
What people actually expect or assign
- 24% think men should be entirely or somewhat more responsible for earning money (only 6% say the same of women).
- 17% think women should be entirely or somewhat more responsible for childcare (vs. 6% who assign more to men).
- 16% place women as more responsible for housework (vs. 8% for men).
- Social perception: 35% think more people in their country expect women to handle childcare and housework; 40% think more expect men to be the breadwinners.
The 2026 twist: equality fatigue?
- 52% globally say “enough has been done” to give women equal rights.
- 46% think men are being asked to do “too much” to support equality.
- 44% think we’ve gone so far promoting women’s equality that men are now being discriminated against (opinion split globally).
Translation: progress, yes, but also resistance and signs of backlash fatigue.
Norms that won’t budge
- 51% believe women are “naturally better” at childcare.
- 20% agree that “a wife should always obey her husband.”
- 17% say “a woman shouldn’t appear too independent or self-sufficient.”
Spoiler: equality and stereotypes coexist awkwardly.
Power and role models: the glass half full
- 60% say things would work better with more women in positions of responsibility in government and business.
- 54% think there won’t be equality without more female leaders.
- 39% identify as feminist (44% of women vs. 31% of men).
Who has more freedom of choice?
- Jobs: 39% perceive men have more job options (only 10% say the same for women).
- Personal expression: 34% think women have more freedom in how they dress; 22% in dating/relationships; 24% in roles within the household.
Translation: women have more leeway in “how to look and relate”; men have more leeway in “what job to have”.
Generations: the data that sparks debate
- Gen Z men show more attachment to traditional ideas (e.g., 57% think women’s equality discriminates against men vs. 38% of Gen Z women; 59% of Gen Z men think too much is expected of men vs. 41% of Gen Z women).
- They’re also more likely than their female peers to say the husband should have the final say at home (33% vs. 19%).
The future isn’t written: engaging young men will be key.
Future: uneven optimism
- 55% believe today’s young women will have better lives than their mothers.
- Only 40% say the same for young men (five points down from 2025).
The expectations gap also runs across generations and genders.
What does it all mean?
- The egalitarian ideal is in place, but cultural “autopilots” still assign tasks by stereotype.
- There’s “change anxiety” (or fatigue) coexisting with support for more women in leadership.
Between what we say and what we do lies a long hallway: most embrace shared responsibility, but old reflexes still assign “who cares” and “who provides.” Add to this a sense among some that “enough has been done,” and one unsettling fact: more Gen Z men than women stick to traditional norms. Even so, consensus is growing that more women at the helm improves outcomes. This isn’t backsliding; it’s transition: steady gains, active pushback, and a future being shaped in public debate, at home, and at work.
Your turn
Do you see yourself in these numbers? What gets shared at home and what still feels like “hers” or “his”? Do you notice signs of “equality fatigue” around you? Tell us your story and join the conversation.
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Source: Ipsos International Women’s Day Report, conducted online between 24 December 2025 and 9 January 2026, in 29 countries and includes 23,268 adults aged 18–74.
