Forbes Portugal launched its annual list of the Most Powerful Women in Business 2026, distinguishing 55 Portuguese women who stood out the most in the national and international economic landscape. The ranking is organized into 11 categories, each corresponding to a sector of activity, and was based on the career, influence and impact of each woman. The vast majority of those selected belong to the same generation, many in their fifties, and are described as independent and entrepreneurial.
A study by Randstad Research reveals that Portuguese women hold 59.1% of qualified human capital in Europe, ranking only behind Estonia and Latvia. However, they occupy only 15.7% of CEO and management positions in the country's largest companies. In terms of salary, a difference of 17.3% persists, translating into a gap of 205 euros between the male average of 1,388 euros and the female average of 1,183 euros.
Paula Amorim, in the Energy category, remains the highest-scoring woman with 88 points, followed by Cláudia Azevedo with 87 points. In third place, tied with 86 points, are Mafalda Duarte, Maria Ramos and Ana Figueiredo. The methodology applied by Forbes evaluated over 150 names, assigning a maximum of 20 points based on five criteria: Fortune, Decision-Making Power, Influence Power, Business Size and Entrepreneurship.
Among the top-ranked in the 11 categories are Carla Rebelo, CEO of Randstad Portugal, in the Services category, and Isabel Vaz, CEO of the Luz Saúde group, in Health. In the interview with Forbes, scientist Maria Manuel Mota warned that women still feel an invisible weight on their role in society, while Carla Rebelo argued that women should be much more present in succession plans and that it is necessary to give the same opportunity to men and women to have equal conditions.
