THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 29, 2026

Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), on Wednesday 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” in Bhubaneswar.

The publication presents a comprehensive overview of the status of women and men in India through a compilation of selected indicators across key domains, including population, education, health, economic participation, decision-making, violence against women, and other gender-related issues. It draws upon data from various Ministries, Departments, and organisations, offering a robust statistical foundation for understanding gender dynamics across the country.

A notable addition to this edition is the inclusion of metadata for 50 key indicators, designed to enhance clarity and facilitate a better understanding of the concepts, definitions, sources, and methodological aspects underlying the statistics presented.

Based on official statistics, the publication provides gender-disaggregated data across a wide range of themes. Several indicators have been presented by rural-urban classification, State and Union Territory, and, wherever available, over time, thereby enabling a deeper understanding of evolving gender disparities and development trends across India.

By analysing key socio-economic indicators and highlighting emerging trends, the publication equips policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders with valuable evidence to formulate gender-responsive policies and programmes aimed at promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

The latest edition highlights several encouraging trends. The sex ratio at birth has improved at the national level, rising from 904 in 2017-19 to 917 in 2021-23, indicating better survival rates among female children. Infant mortality rates for both girls and boys have recorded a pronounced and sustained decline between 2008 and 2023.

India has also achieved gender parity across all levels of school education, from Primary to Higher Secondary. In higher education, the Gross Enrolment Ratio has improved from 28.5 to 30.2 for females and from 28.3 to 28.9 for males between 2021-22 and 2022-23.

The report further points to significant gains in workforce participation. Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above has increased for both men and women. Rural women, in particular, have witnessed the sharpest rise, with LFPR climbing from 37.5 per cent in 2022 to 45.9 per cent in 2025.

Women are also making remarkable strides in leadership roles. Between 2017 and 2025, the number of women engaged in managerial positions surged by an impressive 102.54 per cent, outpacing the 73.80 per cent increase recorded among men during the same period.

The publication reaffirms India's steady progress towards gender equality and underscores the critical role of data-driven policymaking in fostering a more inclusive and equitable society.