Context:

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 26th edition of its publication titled "Women and Men in India 2024: Trend Indicators and Data."

Brief Overview:

• Publication Title: "Women and Men in India 2024: Trend Indicators and Data"
• Releasing Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)

Edition: 26th

• Subject: A holistic overview of the status of women and men in India
• Objective of the Publication: To provide critical insights for policymakers and other stakeholders

Key Highlights:

• This publication presents a comprehensive overview of the gender situation in India, covering key areas such as population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making.
• The data is sourced from various ministries, departments, and organizations, offering gender-disaggregated data across urban-rural divisions and geographic regions.

Increase in Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR):

• For individuals aged 15 years and above, the overall LFPR increased from 49.8% (2017–18) to 60.1% (2023–24).

Women’s Participation in Bank Accounts:

• Women hold 39.2% of all bank accounts and contribute 39.7% to total deposits.
• Their participation is highest in rural areas, where they account for 42.2% of account holders.

Rise in Demat Accounts:

• In recent years, the number of Demat accounts has increased significantly, reflecting rising participation in the stock market.
• From March 31, 2021 to November 30, 2024, total Demat accounts rose from 33.26 million to 143.02 million, representing over a four-fold increase.
• While male account holders consistently outnumber female account holders, women’s participation has also shown a rise:
• Male accounts increased from 26.59 million (2021) to 115.31 million (2024)
• Female accounts increased from 6.67 million (2021) to 27.71 million (2024)

Growth in Women-Owned Establishments:

• During the years 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24, there has been an increase in the percentage of women-dominated ownership in the sectors of manufacturing, trade, and other services.

Women’s Participation in Elections:

• The total number of voters increased from 173.2 million in 1952 to 978 million in 2024, with significant growth in the registration of female voters.
• Female voter turnout varied in recent years, reaching 67.2% in 2019, but slightly declined to 65.8% in 2024.
• The gender gap in voting has narrowed. In 2024, female voter turnout exceeded that of males.

Increase in Women-Led Startups:

• Over the past few years, the number of DPIIT-recognized startups with at least one female director has increased, reflecting a positive trend in women entrepreneurship.
• Such startups have grown from 1,943 in 2017 to 17,405 in 2024.