Women in Management: Which countries have the highest proportion of female managers, and where does India stand?

According to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) titled "Women in Business and Management: Scaling Success," women hold less than 12 percent of managerial positions in India.

Women in Management: A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) has revealed several striking findings regarding the status of working women. The report, "Women in Business and Management: Scaling Success," indicates that women occupy less than 12 percent of managerial roles in India. Among 34 countries and economies in the Asia-Pacific region, India ranks 32nd—ahead only of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The report also sheds light on gender equality within the corporate sector, pay gaps, and the participation of women at various levels of management. It is based on an ILO survey covering 11,957 enterprises across 99 countries.

India Lagging in Management

According to data from the International Labour Organization, approximately 20 percent—or one in five—managers in the Asia-Pacific region are women, compared to a global figure of 30.5 percent. In India, female representation is notably low across all managerial roles, including both senior and middle management levels. Professor Neetha N. from the Centre for Women’s Development Studies identifies two primary reasons for this disparity: first, societal stereotypes regarding women's capabilities, which lead to them being perceived as unsuitable for high-level positions; and second, the heavy burden of domestic responsibilities—such as childcare and household management—which often forces women to step back from such roles.

The Pay Gap in India

The report highlights that, in India, female employees earn approximately 28 percent less per hour than their male counterparts. This is the fourth-largest gender wage gap among 23 Asia-Pacific economies. Only Tonga (at approximately 64%), South Korea (at about 41%), and Vanuatu (at around 29%) have a wider gap than India. However, a positive finding is that at the managerial level, the gender pay gap in India is nearly zero; in other words, there is no significant disparity in earnings between men and women once they reach senior positions.

Women’s Participation in Education

The report also addresses women’s participation in the field of education. In India, 23.1% of women pursuing higher education are enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, compared to 31.4% of men. The International Labour Organization (ILO) notes that these disparities in pay and positions cannot be explained solely by education levels or working hours. Instead, they are driven by a range of complex issues, including the gendered segregation of business sectors, the undervaluation of women’s work, and the burden of family caregiving responsibilities.

Businesses Led by Women Deliver Stronger Results

A positive highlight from the report is that companies or businesses led by women demonstrate improved performance. Businesses headed by female CEOs are 6.4% more likely to achieve better outcomes compared to those led by male CEOs. Furthermore, companies with women serving as board chairpersons are 17.5% more likely to achieve superior results.