Women and Men in India 2025: Key Gender Data Points
Why in the news
The 2025 edition of the Women and Men in India report was released. It shows faster progress for girls and women in survival, schooling and leadership, but flags weak health screening and a heavy unpaid-care load.
Key facts
- Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB): 917 in 2021-23, better than 904 in 2017-19.
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): 88 in 2021-23, down from 254 in 2004-06, which points to India meeting SDG targets.
- Mean age at marriage: 24.3 years, giving women more time for study and early career.
- Gender Parity Index: parity reached at every school stage from primary to higher secondary.
- Literacy gap: 14.4% overall, mainly because older generations missed schooling.
- Women managers: up 102.54% between 2017 and 2025, versus 73.80% growth among men.
- Rural female LFPR: 37.5% rising to 45.9% within three years.
| Indicator | Earlier reading | Latest reading |
|---|---|---|
| Sex ratio at birth | 904 (2017-19) | 917 (2021-23) |
| Maternal mortality ratio | 254 (2004-06) | 88 (2021-23) |
| Rural female LFPR | 37.5% | 45.9% |
| Growth in managerial posts, 2017-2025 | Men: 73.80% | Women: 102.54% |
Key terms
- LFPR is the share of people who are working or actively seeking work.
- MMR counts maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and is a core marker of healthcare quality.
Significance and concerns
- The rural jump in women’s work is linked to self-help groups and rural employment schemes.
- Women still devote most of their day to unpaid household chores, which limits time for paid work (time-use data).
- Health screening gaps remain a weak spot.
Exam angle
- Figures to memorise: 917, 88, 24.3 years, 14.4%, 102.54%, 45.9%.
- Syllabus link: UPSC GS-1 (role of women), GS-2 (social justice); rural LFPR is relevant for RBI/NABARD papers.
- Possible question: define LFPR or MMR.