India’s Gender Data Snapshot 2025: Strong Gains in Equality Across Key Sectors

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the 27th edition of its publication Women and Men in India 2025: Selected Indicators and Data , presenting a detailed statistical snapshot of how gender dynamics in India are changing across key sectors. The report was unveiled at the National Deliberative Summit on “Data for Development” held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha , bringing together official data compiled from multiple ministries, departments, and organisations.

The publication offers a comprehensive view of population, education, health, employment, decision making, and safety indicators , with gender disaggregated data across rural and urban areas, states and union territories, and over different time periods. It also includes metadata for 50 key indicators, improving clarity on definitions, sources, and methodology, making the data more reliable for policy formulation and research analysis .

A key highlight of the report is the improvement in the sex ratio at birth , which increased from 904 (2017-19) to 917 (2021-23) , indicating gradual improvement in female survival outcomes. The report also notes a steady decline in infant mortality rates for both male and female children between 2008 and 2023 , reflecting overall gains in public health and maternal care systems.

In education, the findings show that gender parity has been achieved across all school levels , from primary to higher secondary education. At the higher education level, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has improved for both genders, rising to 30.2 for females and 28.9 for males in 2022–23, showing increased access to higher education opportunities for women.

The labour market indicators also reflect notable progress. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for individuals aged 15 and above has increased for both men and women, with rural women recording the highest growth, rising from 37.5 percent to 45.9 percent between 2022 and 2025.

A significant shift is also visible in leadership roles, with women in managerial positions increasing by 102.54 percent between 2017 and 2025 , compared to a 73.80 percent rise among men. This indicates a steady rise in women’s representation in decision making roles across sectors.

Overall, the report by MoSPI highlights a gradual but meaningful transformation in India’s gender landscape, with clear progress in education, health, and workforce participation, while also strengthening the evidence base for gender responsive governance and inclusive development policies .