MoSPI Releases ‘Women and Men in India 2025’: Data Shows Rising Gender Parity, and Improved Social Indicators

By presenting indicators across rural-urban divides, State/UT levels, and time series trends, the report enables deeper insights into regional disparities and evolving socio-economic patterns.

In a significant step toward strengthening evidence-based policymaking, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the 27th edition of its flagship publication, "Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data," at the National Deliberative Summit on Data for Development held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on April 29, 2026.

The comprehensive report provides a detailed, data-driven snapshot of gender dynamics in India, capturing progress, persistent gaps, and emerging trends across critical sectors such as population, education, health, employment, decision-making, and gender-based issues.

A Data-Driven Framework for Gender Policy

The publication compiles gender-disaggregated statistics sourced from multiple ministries, departments, and official databases, offering a unified reference point for policymakers, researchers, and development stakeholders.

A notable innovation in this edition is the inclusion of metadata for 50 key indicators, aimed at improving transparency and usability by clarifying definitions, methodologies, and data sources. This enhancement is expected to strengthen analytical rigor and enable more precise interpretation of gender-related data.

By presenting indicators across rural-urban divides, State/UT levels, and time series trends, the report enables deeper insights into regional disparities and evolving socio-economic patterns.

Improved Sex Ratio Signals Positive Demographic Shift

One of the standout findings is the improvement in India's sex ratio at birth, which has increased from 904 (2017–19) to 917 (2021–23).

This upward trend reflects:

• Better survival rates for girl children

• Improved awareness and interventions against gender bias

• Strengthened implementation of schemes promoting girl child welfare

The data signals gradual but meaningful progress in addressing one of India's most persistent demographic challenges.

Sharp Decline in Infant Mortality Rates

The report highlights a sustained decline in infant mortality rates (IMR) for both male and female infants between 2008 and 2023.

This improvement underscores the impact of:

• Expanded healthcare infrastructure

• Increased institutional deliveries

• Strengthened maternal and child health programmes

The decline in IMR is a critical indicator of overall improvements in healthcare access and service delivery.

Education: Gender Parity Achieved Across School Levels

In a major milestone, India has achieved gender parity in school education from primary to higher secondary levels.

This achievement reflects:

• Increased access to education for girls

• Government initiatives promoting female literacy

• Reduction in dropout rates among female students

At the higher education level, progress continues with Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) rising:

• Females: from 28.5 to 30.2

• Males: from 28.3 to 28.9 (2021–22 to 2022–23)

The data indicates that women are not only catching up but, in some cases, surpassing male participation in education.

Workforce Participation Sees Strong Growth—Especially Among Rural Women

Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has increased for both men and women aged 15 and above, with rural women showing the most significant gains.

• Rural female LFPR rose sharply from 37.5% to 45.9% between 2022 and 2025

This surge points to:

• Greater economic inclusion of women

• Expansion of livelihood opportunities in rural areas

• Increased participation in agriculture, self-employment, and local enterprises

The trend is particularly significant in the context of India's push toward inclusive economic growth.

Women's Leadership Role Expands Rapidly

The report highlights a striking increase in women's representation in managerial positions.

• Women in managerial roles increased by 102.54% between 2017 and 2025

• Men saw a 73.80% increase during the same period

This indicates:

• Breaking of traditional gender barriers in leadership roles

• Improved access to professional and managerial opportunities for women

• Growing corporate and institutional focus on gender diversity

A Strategic Tool for Inclusive Development

By consolidating multi-sectoral data into a single, accessible framework, the publication serves as a critical tool for:

• Designing gender-responsive policies

• Monitoring progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Identifying areas requiring targeted interventions

Experts note that such comprehensive datasets are essential for moving beyond anecdotal evidence and enabling data-backed governance.

Towards a More Inclusive India

The findings of "Women and Men in India 2025" reflect a nation in transition—where measurable progress is being made across education, health, and employment, even as structural challenges remain.

The report reinforces the importance of sustained policy focus, targeted interventions, and continuous data monitoring to ensure that gains in gender equality are not only maintained but accelerated.

With improved indicators across multiple sectors, India appears to be steadily advancing toward a more inclusive and equitable socio-economic landscape.