THE FACTS
Gender pay inequality in India refers to the difference in earnings between women and men in the paid employment and the labour market at the same position. In the Global Gender Gap Report 2025 published by the World Economic Forum, India ranks 131st out of 148 countries, with a parity score of 64.1%. The World Economic Forum ranked India 135 out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index (2022). Pay disparities are largest in sectors such as finance, technology, and law, where women may earn only about 55% to 63% of men’s pay. Women earn only 60% of what men earn in urban areas and a shocking 50% in rural areas. Indian women reportedly earn Rs 40 for every Rs 100 earned by men.
WHY
This disparity is influenced by a number of cultural and structural factors:
- Occupational segregation- Women are often concentrated in undervalued sectors such as education, healthcare, and social work, which generally offer lower compensation compared to male-dominated fields like engineering and finance. Many women are also employed in the informal sector due to lack of proper education.
- Workplace Discrimination- Gender biases in hiring, promotions, and pay decisions significantly impact wage parity.
- Under-representation in Leadership- Women are often underrepresented in leadership roles, which contributes to pay disparity. Despite women representing 41.2% of the global workforce, women hold only 28.8% of top leadership positions.
- Cultural barriers- Deep-rooted societal and cultural norms often devalue women’s work and perpetuate gender discrimination. For instance, social norms can discourage women from negotiating salaries, which may result in lower initial pay and fewer raises over time.
WHY THIS MATTERS
This enormous gap in pay reflects on the persistent role of the patriarchy in modern India. Even though India has become the fourth largest economy in the world, full parity is still estimated to be 123 years away at the current rate of progress. This large gap hinders the development of women as they are unable to become financially independent. In the absence of this control over their finances they become wholly reliant on men and very often victims of abuse. The numbers paint a grim picture of an industry that still treats equality as a footnote rather than a foundation.
HOW TO HELP
In the light of this chilling reality, you, reader, are urged to stand up and advocate for a decrease in this gap. Educate your relations on this matter and urge them to take action as well. Remember that every voice counts.
