In the last two decades, the number of women in the top management positions of companies in India has increased three times. While only 11.7% of women were in high positions in 2004, in 2025 the figure has reached 36.5%. According to Grant Thorrton’s annual “Women in Business 2025” report, women’s participation in top management in India has exceeded the global average (34%).
Increase in announcement of foreign property and income: ₹ 29,000 crore property declared so far
Increased participation despite fluctuations in the last five years
However, in the last five years, there was a fluctuations in the participation of women.
- 2021: 39.1%
- 2022: 38%
- 2023: 36%
- 2024: 33.9%
- 2025: 36.5%
The main reason for this growth is the increasing participation of women’s education and workforce. Women are becoming more educated than before and giving priority to career, which is seeing positive changes in the society.
Thailand leads the Asia-Pacific region
32.9% of the top management positions in the Asia-Pacific region are women, lower than the global average. However, Thailand leads the field with 43.1% participation. The main reason for this is the better availability of child care facilities.
What are the top positions women?
According to the report, women’s participation to various high positions has increased in 2025:
| Post | 2025 (%) | 2024 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| CEO | 21.7 | 19.1 |
| COO | 25.5 | 22.7 |
| CFO | 44.6 | 38.9 |
| CIO | 22.8 | 21.2 |
| Human Resource Head | 47.6 | 45.7 |
| Chief Marketing Officer | 33.3 | 28.2 |
| Chief Technology Officer | 22 | 13.6 |
| Chairperson | 11.2 | 8.9 |
| Partner | 8.1 | 7.9 |
Women participation in workforce in India increased rapidly
Women’s labor power participation is important to meet India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. It was 23.3% in 2017-18, which increased to 41.7% in 2023-24.
| Year | Women’s Working Participation (%) |
|---|---|
| 2017-18 | 23.3 |
| 2018-19 | 24.5 |
| 2019-20 | 30.0 |
| 2020-21 | 32.5 |
| 2022-23 | 37.0 |
| 2023-24 | 41.7 |
Positive changes due to increasing participation of women
It is clear from the report that women’s education and workforce in India are increasing. It is not only creating a gender balance in the corporate sector, but also playing an important role in the economic progress of the country.
