​ Women in India 2025: Govt data shows surge in labour force, startups, and financial control​

Women own 39.2% of all bank accounts in India, with rural areas seeing an even higher participation rate at 42.2%. This reflects a significant shift in women’s financial inclusion across the country. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) report, women contribute 39.7% to total bank deposits, highlighting their increasing involvement in the country's banking system.

There has been a steady increase in female-headed proprietary establishments, especially across manufacturing, trade, and services sectors. From 2021 to 2024, this upward trend underscores the growing influence of women in entrepreneurship, contributing significantly to the economic landscape.

A notable rise in women’s participation in the stock market is seen with the sharp growth of DEMAT accounts. From March 31, 2021, to November 30, 2024, the number of DEMAT accounts held by women grew from 6.67 million to 27.71 million, a more than fourfold increase. While male account holders still outnumber female investors, the rise in female participation signals a change in India’s investment culture.

The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women has significantly improved, rising from 49.8% in 2017-18 to 60.1% in 2023-24. This growth signals greater involvement of women in the workforce and is a key indicator of improved economic empowerment and societal change.

The number of startups with at least one woman director has surged dramatically, increasing from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024. This increase highlights a positive trend toward female entrepreneurship and women taking leadership roles in India's startup ecosystem.

In the political sphere, the number of female voters has grown substantially, with the female voter turnout surpassing male turnout in the 2024 elections. Although the female voter turnout slightly declined to 65.8% in 2024, from 67.2% in 2019, the narrowing gender gap in voting patterns signals increased political engagement by women across the country.

The Gender Parity Index (GPI) for primary and higher secondary education remains consistently high, reflecting strong female enrolment. In 2025, women's participation in higher education in India continues to grow, with female enrolment reaching 2.07 crore in 2021-22, constituting nearly 50% of the total student population. While progress is being made, disparities persist in certain fields, like STEM, where women make up 42.57% of the total STEM enrolment.