MoSPI releases 26th edition of Women and Men in India 2024

1. In the 1st Week of April, 2025, The 26th edition "Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data" was released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India
2. It provides a detailed analysis of gender-disaggregated data across various socio-economic sectors in India.
3. By analyzing socio-economic trends, the publication highlights:
   1. Progress in gender equality
   2. Persistent disparities
   3. Opportunities and challenges faced by women and men in India
4. It aims to guide policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders in developing gender-sensitive policies that promote sustainable, inclusive development.
5. It also presents key indicators on population, education, health, economic participation, & decision-making, based on data from multiple government ministries, departments, and organizations.

Key Data and Facts from the Publication :

1. Gender Parity in Education
   1. Primary and Higher Secondary Education: Consistently high Gender Parity Index (GPI) across primary and higher secondary education, indicating strong female enrollment.
   2. Upper Primary and Elementary Education: GPI fluctuated but remained close to gender parity, reflecting a positive trend in female participation at these levels.
2. Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)

2. 1. Usual Status LFPR for persons aged 15 years and above has improved:
      • 2017-18: 49.8%
      • 2023-24: 60.1%
   2. This indicates a significant improvement in female labor force participation over the years.
3. Financial Inclusion and Bank Accounts
   1. Women’s Ownership of Bank Accounts:
      • Women own 39.2% of all bank accounts.
      • They contribute to 39.7% of the total bank deposits in India.
   2. Rural Participation: Women account for 42.2% of bank account holders in rural areas, showcasing the positive impact of financial inclusion initiatives.
4. Stock Market Participation

4. 1. Growth in DEMAT Accounts:
      • Total DEMAT Accounts:
        • March 31, 2021: 33.26 million
        • November 30, 2024: 143.02 million (more than a fourfold increase)
   2. Gender Breakdown of DEMAT Accounts:
      • Male Account Holders:
        • Increased from 26.59 million in 2021 to 115.31 million in 2024.
      • Female Account Holders:
        • Increased from 6.67 million in 2021 to 27.71 million in 2024, reflecting growing female participation in the stock market.
5. Female Entrepreneurship

5. 1. Women-Headed Proprietary Establishments:
      • A rising trend in female-headed proprietary establishments across sectors like manufacturing, trade, and services between 2021 and 2024.
      • This reflects increased female participation in business and entrepreneurship.
6. Electoral Data and Voter Participation
   1. Growth in Total Electors:
      • From 173.2 million electors in 1952 to 978 million electors in 2024.
   2. Female Voter Registration: Notable rise in female voter registration over the years.
   3. Voter Turnout:
      • Female Voter Turnout:
        • 2019: 67.2%
        • 2024: 65.8% (a slight decline from 2019).
      • Male Voter Turnout:
        • Female voter turnout surpassed male turnout in 2024, marking a narrowing gender gap in voting.
7. Startups and Female Directors
   1. Startups with Female Directors:
      • There has been an increase in the number of startups recognized by DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) with at least one female director.
      • 2017: 1,943 startups with at least one woman director.
      • 2024: 17,405 startups with at least one woman director, showcasing a positive trend in female entrepreneurship in India.

Conclusion

The “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data” publication offers a thorough overview of key gender-related data across diverse sectors, highlighting the progress made in gender equality over the years, Persistent challenges, particularly in labor force participation and financial inclusion and Growing trends in female entrepreneurship and increased female participation in electoral processes and the stock market.