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Release of Publication “Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”

Context

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26th edition of its publication titled “Women and Men in India 2024”.

“Women and Men in India 2024: Selected Indicators and Data”

• It presents gender-disaggregated data across various sectors such as population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making.
• The data is collected from different ministries and departments and helps in creating gender-sensitive policies for inclusive development.

Education Indicators

• The Gender Parity Index (GPI) remains high at primary and higher secondary levels, showing strong female enrolment.
• There were some fluctuations at the upper primary and elementary levels, but parity remained largely intact.

Labour and Financial Participation

• The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for people aged 15 years and above rose from 49.8% (2017-18) to 60.1% (2023-24).
• Women now own 39.2% of all bank accounts and contribute 39.7% of total deposits, especially in rural areas (42.2%).

Investment and Entrepreneurship

• The number of DEMAT accounts rose significantly from 33.26 million (2021) to 143.02 million (2024).
• Although more men hold DEMAT accounts, female account holders increased from 6.67 million to 27.71 million in this period.
• More female-headed proprietary establishments were recorded in manufacturing, trade, and services sectors during 2021–24.

Political and Entrepreneurial Participation

• The total number of electors rose from 173.2 million (1952) to 978 million (2024), with higher female voter registration and turnout.
• Female turnout slightly declined from 67.2% (2019) to 65.8% (2024), but still surpassed male turnout.
• Startups with at least one-woman director increased from 1,943 (2017) to 17,405 (2024), showing growth in female entrepreneurship.