MoSPI releases the 26th edition of Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the 26th edition of Women and Men in India 2024 – Selected Indicators and Data. It presents another round of statistics to reflect how far India has come (or hasn’t) on gender equality. The publication breaks down gender-disaggregated data across sectors such as health, education, population, economic participation, and leadership. It uses statistics gathered from various ministries and departments, aiming to give a complete picture of how women and men experience life differently in India. With data spread across urban and rural areas, the report reveals the silent gaps we still need to address.

Gender disparities in financial inclusion and stock market participation

As of the latest data, women in India own 39.2% of all bank accounts. In rural regions, this figure rises slightly to 42.2%. However, women contribute only 39.7% of the country’s total bank deposits because of disparities in income, asset ownership, and decision-making power.

Meanwhile, India’s stock market participation is rising. DEMAT accounts have grown over fourfold between March 2021 and November 2024, rising from 33.26 million to 143.02 million. Clearly, more Indians are investing.

Despite this encouraging trend, male account holders continue to outnumber their women counterparts by a considerable margin. From 2021 to 2024, the number of male DEMAT account holders grew from 26.59 million to 115.31 million. During the same period, the number of women account holders rose from 6.67 million to only 27.71 million.

Women and Men in India 2024: Women entrepreneurship growth

India has seen a sharp increase in women-led proprietary establishments, particularly in manufacturing and services. The number of startups with at least one woman director jumped from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024. That’s more than 800% growth. Startup India, combined with easier registration processes and targeted schemes, has helped women build and scale ventures in both urban and semi-urban regions.

Despite headlines celebrating women-led startups, most working women in India remain trapped in low-paying, informal-sector jobs. They run roadside stalls, work as domestic helpers, or take up daily wage roles, often without contracts, protections, or steady incomes. Are we genuinely empowering women or just celebrating a select few while the majority are left behind?

Women’s underrepresentation in parliament

In 1952, India had 173.2 million registered voters. By 2024, that number reached 978 million. More people now take part in the voting process, and women are playing a significant role in it. In the 2024 general elections, 65.8% of eligible women voted. This is slightly lower than the 67.2% turnout in 2019, but women still voted more than men this time.

Even though women vote more, they hold fewer leadership roles. Most top positions in Parliament, companies, and other decision-making spaces still go to men. The 18th Lok Sabha includes only 74 women members, four fewer than the previous term. This means just 13% of the elected representatives are women, despite women comprising 48% of the electorate. Of the 8,360 candidates who contested the general elections, only 10% were women. In 155 constituencies, no woman contested at all.

In comparison, Africa has 46% women in its Parliament. The United Kingdom has reached 35%, while the United States stands at 29%. India, although one of the world’s largest democracies, continues to show underrepresentation of women in politics.

Women play an active role in voting, campaigning, and even leading local bodies. Yet, at the national level, they struggle to find equal space. Voter participation does not automatically lead to leadership roles, especially when the system continues to treat women as a vote bank.

Women and Men in India 2024: What else does the report show

Some signs of progress for women are visible, but not everywhere and not for everyone. Internet and healthcare access still move slowly, especially for women in rural areas. In education, the situation looks more balanced. At the elementary and upper primary levels, enrollment figures for girls have almost caught up with boys.

Meanwhile, the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women aged 15 and above rose from 49.8% in 2017–18 to 60.1% in 2023–24. More women are now working, earning, and contributing to the economy. However, many women work in low-paid, informal jobs without benefits or security. Participation has improved, but fair working conditions still lag.

“When progress is narrated only through percentages, we often forget the people behind them. Men and Women in India 2024 shows us just how far we have come — and how far we still have to go. It is not about counting heads but questioning how we count dignity, access, and power.” — Saransh Jain, Founder, Changeincontent.com

The final thoughts

The Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data may suggest progress, but they also reveal the gaps we keep ignoring. Women are enrolling in schools, opening bank accounts, voting in large numbers, and even starting their businesses. But these wins remain uneven, often limited to certain sectors, cities, or socio-economic groups.

We cannot celebrate a handful of women founders while ignoring millions stuck in daily-wage work. Nor can we praise voter turnout without questioning why fewer women find a place in parliament. Until every woman has equal access to resources, respect, and representation, these numbers remain unfinished stories.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content. We broadly define inclusivity as media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and marginalised individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.