Gender-based Analysis Plus Implementation Survey Results 2024–2025

The 2024–2025 GBA Plus Implementation Survey (2025 Survey), gathered insights from departments and agencies across the federal government, highlighting continued efforts to integrate GBA Plus into policies, programs, and initiatives, as well as barriers related to capacity, data and evidence, and other aspects of implementation.

Survey participation

The 88 federal departments and agencies represented 98% of Main Estimates^{Footnote 1}  federal spending in 2024–2025.

Streamlining the 2025 Survey

The 2025 Survey introduced a shorter survey instrument to reduce reporting burden and support participation across the federal public service. The streamlined 2025 Survey consisted of eight multiple-choice questions, which were drawn from previous survey cycles. The questions were selected to support data quality and consistency in the monitoring of key indicators of GBA Plus implementation, while making it easier for departments and agencies to report on their progress and challenges.

An innovative approach for micro-organizations

The 2025 Survey invited 88 federal departments and agencies to participate, including 19 micro-organizations with 150 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) or fewer. Historically, these smaller organizations have participated less frequently in the survey, which can make it more difficult to monitor the implementation of GBA Plus across the federal public service.

To better understand the experiences and unique challenges of these micro-organizations, and to reduce their reporting burden, Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) piloted an alternative approach in the 2024 Survey, which continued for the 2025 Survey. Micro-organizations were offered the option of participating in focus group discussions instead of completing the survey.

WAGE conducted three focus group discussions with representatives from four micro-organizations. The discussions highlighted the distinct challenges faced by these organizations, limited time and capacity, difficulty aligning resources with the current GBA Plus Framework, and a need for resources tailored to their needs.

Results from 2025 Survey submissions

For the year-to-year comparisons in this summary, only those organizations that responded to both the 2024 and 2025 surveys are included. All findings are based on self-reported data from participating organizations.

Training and support

• In 2025, 85% of surveyed departments and agencies accessed WAGE’s GBA Plus Resource Centre, a centralized hub
• Organizations have continued to engage with interdisciplinary networks within the federal public service. In 2025, 90% of surveyed departments and agencies participated in the GBA Plus Interdepartmental Committee^{Footnote 2}

Capacity

• In 2025, 80% of surveyed departments and agencies reported having five or more elements of GBA Plus capacity^{Footnote 3}  in place, consistent with 2024
• According to data compiled by WAGE from Departmental Results Reports, departments and agencies had an average 4.7 FTEs dedicated to GBA Plus implementation in 2025, compared 5.5 FTEs in 2024^{Footnote 4} 
• According to survey responses, more organizations reported having a formal GBA Plus policy or statement of intent (70% in 2025, up from 62% in 2024) and a departmental GBA Plus implementation plan (62% in 2025, up from 57% in 2024)

Application

As shown in the graph below, the survey responses suggest that progress has been made in the integration of GBA Plus within policies or programs across all phases of the development cycle, from “problem definition” to “policy/program evaluation.” 

Survey responses indicated improvements in how organizations monitor and track the implementation of GBA Plus.

• Between the 2024 Survey and 2025 Survey, there was a 15% increase in organizations measuring the impacts of their programs and initiatives, an 11% increase in the evaluation of impacts on gender and diversity, and an 8% increase in tracking in the application of GBA Plus in Cabinet documents

Data

In 2025, departments and agencies reported that Statistics Canada and program administrative data were the primary sources of data and research to inform their application of GBA Plus.

In 2025, results show a 5% increase in the number of departments and agencies drawing on data and research on GBA Plus from other government departments, reflecting improved coordination and information-sharing among public servants to inform GBA Plus.

Areas for reported improvement

The most frequently reported barriers to applying GBA Plus in 2025 were a lack of capacity,^{Footnote 5}   and limited access to or availability of data and evidence.

Compared with 2024, fewer departments and agencies reported barriers related to access to data and evidence (71%, down from 86%), capacity (72%, down from 82%), and time (66%, down from 73%). 

Previous GBA Plus Implementation Survey Results

• Gender-based Analysis Plus implementation survey results 2023–2024
• Gender-based Analysis Plus implementation survey results 2022–2023
• Gender-based Analysis Plus implementation survey results 2019–2020
• Gender-based Analysis Plus implementation survey results 2018–2019
• Gender-based Analysis Plus implementation survey results 2016–2017
• Gender-Based Analysis Plus Implementation Survey Results 2015–2016