India has slipped two ranks to stand at 131 out of 148 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report 2025. According to the World Economic Forum’s annual report, this places India among the lowest-ranking countries in South Asia, with a gender parity score of just 64.1%.
Key Areas Assessed in the Report
The Global Gender Gap Report evaluates gender equality based on four crucial dimensions:
- Economic participation
- Educational attainment
- Health and survival
- Political empowerment
Implications of the Ranking
This decline in India’s rank highlights persistent challenges faced by women in the country. Particularly, disparities in workforce participation and political representation remain significant hurdles. Despite various initiatives to promote gender equality, the report indicates minimal progress.
Regional Context and Urgent Call to Action
Neighboring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh have shown better performance in several areas, underscoring the urgent need for reforms in India’s social and economic policies. Strengthening gender equality is not only a matter of social justice but is also crucial for the nation’s overall growth and development.
Policymakers are urged to take stronger actions to bridge these gaps and empower women across all sectors.
