Invisible Women in Economics: Almost Two Centuries of Gender Representation in the Financial Times and The Economist (1843–2021)

This study examines gender representation in the Financial Times and The Economist between 1843 and 2021. Using millions of articles and name-frequency analysis, it traces the long-term evolution of women’s visibility in economic news. Results reveal a U -shaped pattern: relatively high representation in the nineteenth century, a decline through much of the 20th century, and a gradual recovery since the 1980s. Comparisons with benchmarks of women’s participation in high-status occupations and economic sectors show a persistent gap between media visibility and real-world presence. The findings point to a lasting paper ceiling in economic journalism. JEL codes: J16, N34, L82