Gender Pay Gap in India: Women's Salaries Lag Behind Men's by 25%
In India, the average salary for women is approximately 25% lower than that of men. Over the past 12 years, from 2012 to 2024, the nominal average salary for employed individuals has seen a significant increase of 90%. However, when factoring in inflation, the real income has actually decreased by about 4%. This information is derived from recent reports and surveys, including analyses from various economic sources.
Women in the country earn, on average, 25% less than their male counterparts. This disparity is evident across various sectors, particularly in areas where female participation is lower or where discrimination in experience and promotions exists. Previous reports, such as the 2017 Monster India survey, highlighted similar findings, showing that women's hourly earnings lagged significantly behind men's. Nevertheless, some recent global reports from 2025 suggest that the gender pay gap in India is narrowing, with average salaries for men and women in certain sectors now nearly equal, ranging from $13,000 to $23,000 annually. Despite this progress, the overall 25% gap remains a substantial challenge.
- From 2012 to 2024: The nominal monthly income of average salaried employees has increased by 90%.
- However, due to inflation, there has been a decline in real wages.
- On average, the purchasing power of salaried employees has decreased by 4%.
- This indicates that despite nominal increases, the cost of living (including food, rent, education, and healthcare) has risen so rapidly that actual earnings have diminished.
Prospects for Change
The government and companies are increasingly focusing on merit, experience, and performance-based pay, which could help reduce the gender gap. However, controlling inflation and ensuring real wage growth remains a significant challenge.