India Slips to 131st in WEF Gender Gap Index 2025

India has ranked 131st out of 148 countries in the 2025 Global Gender Gap Report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), slipping two positions from its previous rank. Despite slight gains in economic participation and educational attainment, the overall gender parity score remains at 64.1%, reflecting slow progress. Structural barriers, particularly in political empowerment, continue to hold back significant improvements in India’s gender landscape.

Why in News?

The 19th edition of the Global Gender Gap Report was released on June 12, 2025 by the WEF. India dropped two spots to 131st out of 148 nations. The report shows mixed results for India, with some improvement in economic participation but a decline in political empowerment, especially in Parliament and ministerial representation.

Global Snapshot

• Global gender gap closed to 68.8%, the strongest progress since COVID-19.
• Full global gender parity is still 123 years away at the current pace.
• Top 5 countries: Iceland (1st), Finland, Norway, UK, and New Zealand.

India’s Gender Parity Performance

• Overall Rank: 131st (Decreased 2 ranks from 129 in 2024).
• Parity Score: 64.1%, among the lowest in South Asia.

Positive Developments

Economic Participation & Opportunity

• Score improved by +0.9 percentage points, now at 40.7%.
• Estimated earned income parity rose from 28.6% to 29.9%.
• Labour force participation remained steady at 45.9% (highest so far for India).

Educational Attainment

• Score: 97.1%, improved due to rising female literacy and higher education enrolment.

Health & Survival

• Score improvement due to better sex ratio at birth and healthy life expectancy.

Areas of Concern

Political Empowerment

• Female MPs down from 14.7% to 13.8%.
• Women in ministerial roles fell from 6.5% to 5.6%.
• Subindex score declined by 0.6 percentage points, now below 2023 levels.
• Peak political parity was 30% in 2019.

South Asia Region Comparison

• Country/Rank (2025)
• Bangladesh/24
• Bhutan/119
• Sri Lanka/130
• Nepal/125
• Maldives/138
• Pakistan/148