Women Scored Higher in Emotional Intelligence Study
A meta-analysis of nearly three decades of research reveals distinct gender trends in emotional processing.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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A global study led by the University of Limerick found that women and girls consistently score higher in recognizing and understanding emotions. Conversely, men and boys demonstrated slightly higher capabilities in regulating their own emotional states.
Why it matters
Understanding these gender-based differences provides critical insight into human development and social interaction. The research highlights that while specific skill sets vary by gender, the overall gap in general emotional intelligence has narrowed over time.
The meta-analysis evaluated data from over 600,000 participants across 76 countries. This research examined three decades of findings to compare general emotional intelligence, recognition, understanding, and regulation.
The players
University of Limerick
This Irish research university served as the lead institution for the international study.
University of Zurich
This public research university in Switzerland contributed as a co-authoring institution.
Cambridge Judge Business School
This business school, part of the University of Cambridge, provided research co-authorship.
The details
Researchers utilized a meta-analysis of decades of existing data to determine how gender influences emotional processing. While women outperformed men in recognizing and identifying the emotions of others, men showed a slight advantage in the ability to regulate their personal emotions.
Timeline
The meta-analysis covered a period spanning three decades.
Culture Shift
This research follows the established pattern of evaluating human cognition through standardized emotional intelligence metrics. It highlights a broader societal shift where the traditional gap in emotional processing skills is closing across global populations.
These findings suggest that individuals may benefit from tailoring personal development to focus on their respective gender-based emotional strengths. Understanding these patterns can help improve communication and professional collaboration in diverse environments.
The takeaway
Recognizing that both genders possess distinct emotional advantages can foster better cooperation in both professional and personal settings. Individuals can improve their own emotional intelligence by actively developing the skills that traditionally fall outside their gender's primary strengths.
Further reading
For more information on global trends affecting gender dynamics, visit Women’s Issues.
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