New Delhi: On April 6, 2025, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) unveiled the 26th edition of its flagship publication, Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data. This comprehensive report shines a spotlight on the evolving gender landscape in India, offering fresh data and trends across critical domains such as financial inclusion, education, health, economic participation, political engagement, and leadership roles.
Financial Inclusion: Women Take Charge of Banking and Investments
One of the standout revelations of the report is the growing financial empowerment of Indian women. As of 2024, women own 39.2% of all bank accounts nationwide, a figure that climbs to an impressive 42.2% in rural areas. This rural dominance underscores the impact of grassroots financial inclusion initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which have brought millions of women into the banking fold. Even more striking, women account for 39.7% of total bank deposits, signaling not just access but active participation in wealth creation.
The stock market, too, is witnessing a female surge. DEMAT accounts, which facilitate stock trading, have skyrocketed from 33.26 million on March 31, 2021, to 143.02 million by November 30, 2024—a more than fourfold increase. While men still lead with 115.31 million accounts (up from 26.59 million in 2021), women have made significant strides, growing their share from 6.67 million to 27.71 million over the same period. This upward trajectory hints at a cultural shift, with women increasingly stepping into the world of investments and financial risk-taking.
Economic Participation: From Startups to Labor Force
The report paints an encouraging picture of women’s economic contributions. Female entrepreneurship is on the rise, with the number of startups recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) featuring at least one woman director jumping from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024. This ninefold increase reflects a burgeoning ecosystem where women are not just participants but leaders in innovation.
On the employment front, the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for individuals aged 15 and above has climbed from 49.8% in 2017-18 to 60.1% in 2023-24. For women specifically, the LFPR has soared from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24—a remarkable leap that signals greater economic agency. Meanwhile, female-headed proprietary establishments in manufacturing, trade, and services have seen consistent growth over the 2021-22 to 2023-24 period, further cementing women’s role as job creators.
Education: Closing the Gender Gap
Education remains a cornerstone of gender parity, and the Women and Men in India 2024 report highlights significant progress. The Gender Parity Index (GPI) at primary and higher secondary levels remains consistently high, indicating robust female enrollment. Upper primary and elementary levels have seen fluctuations but hover near parity, a testament to decades of efforts like the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. Literacy rates tell a broader story: as of 2017, 84.7% of men and 70.3% of women were literate. Kerala boasts the smallest gender literacy gap, while Rajasthan lags with the widest disparity, pointing to regional challenges that still need addressing.
Health: Maternal Mortality Declines, but Challenges Persist
Health indicators offer a mixed bag of progress and concern. The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has dropped from 122 per 100,000 live births in 2015-17 to 97 in 2018-20, reflecting improvements in healthcare access and maternal care programs. However, the report also exposes a grim reality: 31.9% of married women aged 18-49 experience spousal violence. This figure peaks in states like Karnataka (48.4%), Bihar (42.5%), and Manipur (41.6%), underscoring the urgent need for stronger protections and awareness campaigns to combat gender-based violence.
Political Empowerment: Women Voters Outpace Men
The political sphere is another area of transformation. The total number of electors in India has grown from 173.2 million in 1952 to 978 million in 2024, with female voter registration showing notable gains. In 2019, female voter turnout hit 67.2%, outstripping male turnout, though it dipped slightly to 65.8% in 2024. This narrowing gender gap in voting is a powerful indicator of women’s increasing political awareness and participation, even as their representation in elected offices remains a work in progress.
Leadership Roles: Women Climb the Corporate Ladder
In the corporate world, women are breaking barriers. The share of women on boards of directors has risen from 26.7% in FY20 to 28.7% in FY25. This incremental growth reflects evolving corporate governance norms and policies promoting diversity at the top. While the pace may seem slow, it marks a shift toward greater inclusivity in decision-making spaces traditionally dominated by men.
Sex Ratio: Urban Areas Take the Lead
The report also delves into demographic trends, noting a reversal in the sex ratio at birth. Between 2014-16 and 2018-20, the sex ratio in urban areas (910 females per 1,000 males) surpassed that in rural areas (907). This shift suggests a growing migration of women to urban centers, possibly driven by education, employment opportunities, or changing social dynamics—a trend worth watching in the coming years.
Time Use: A Glimpse into Daily Lives
An intriguing nugget from the report is the time women spend on work-related activities. In 2024, women dedicated an average of 71 minutes per day to such tasks, offering a window into their balancing act between paid work, household responsibilities, and personal aspirations. This statistic, while seemingly small, underscores the need for policies that alleviate unpaid care burdens and enhance women’s economic productivity.
Why This Report Matters: A Roadmap for Gender Equality
The Women and Men in India 2024 report is more than a collection of statistics—it’s a roadmap for sustainable development. By spotlighting progress in financial inclusion, education, and political participation, it celebrates India’s strides toward gender equality. Yet, it also lays bare persistent disparities, from spousal violence to regional literacy gaps, that demand targeted interventions. For policymakers, this data is a call to action to craft gender-sensitive policies that bridge these divides. For researchers and advocates, it’s a tool to deepen understanding and drive change.
Conclusion: A Nation in Transition
India stands at a pivotal moment in its gender equality journey, as captured in the Women and Men in India 2024 report. Women are claiming space in banks, boardrooms, polling booths, and startup hubs, yet challenges like violence and uneven access to opportunities persist. This duality—of progress and struggle—defines the nation’s path forward. As stakeholders digest these findings, the hope is clear: a future where every statistic reflects not just parity, but equity. For now, the numbers tell a story of a country in transition—one where women are increasingly at the helm of change.
FAQs
1. What percentage of bank accounts in India are owned by women, and how does this vary by region?
Women own 39.2% of all bank accounts in India, according to the 2024 MoSPI report. This figure rises to 42.2% in rural areas, highlighting a stronger presence of female account holders outside urban centers. Women also contribute 39.7% to total bank deposits, showcasing their significant role in financial inclusion.
2. How has female participation in the stock market changed in recent years?
Female participation in the stock market has grown markedly. The number of DEMAT accounts held by women increased from 6.67 million in March 2021 to 27.71 million by November 2024, a more than fourfold rise. While men still lead with 115.31 million accounts in 2024 (up from 26.59 million in 2021), the growing trend among women signals a shift toward greater investment activity.
3. What progress has been made in female voter turnout in India?
Female voter turnout has seen notable progress. In 2019, it reached 67.2%, surpassing male turnout, though it slightly declined to 65.8% in 2024. The total number of electors grew from 173.2 million in 1952 to 978 million in 2024, with female voter registration contributing significantly to this increase and narrowing the gender gap in political participation.
4. How has the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women changed over time?
The LFPR for women aged 15 and above has risen sharply, from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24. Overall, the LFPR for all individuals in this age group improved from 49.8% in 2017-18 to 60.1% in 2023-24, reflecting a broader trend of economic engagement, particularly among women.
5. What does the report say about violence against women in India?
The report reveals a sobering statistic: 31.9% of married women aged 18-49 in India experience spousal violence. This issue is most pronounced in states like Karnataka (48.4%), Bihar (42.5%), and Manipur (41.6%), pointing to a critical need for interventions to address gender-based violence across the country.
