Indians among most progressive on gender equality: global survey

A global survey conducted by Ipsos ahead of International Women’s Day 2025 has revealed that India ranks among the most progressive nations when it comes to gender equality and challenging traditional gender roles.

The Ipsos IWD 2025 Global Survey, which polled 24,269 people across 30 countries between December 20, 2024, and January 3, 2025, found that 78% of Indian citizens strongly support efforts to achieve gender parity, with both men and women advocating for equal rights.

By comparison, support for gender equality was more polarized in some nations, such as South Korea (52%) and the Netherlands (54%), where agreement levels were significantly lower.

The survey highlighted a shift in Indian attitudes towards domestic chores, with 48% of respondents agreeing that tasks like housekeeping and cooking should be shared equally between men and women. However, 28% still believe these responsibilities should primarily fall on women, while 18% attribute them to men.

Additionally, 53% of Indians believe that unpaid caregiving duties - such as caring for children or elderly family members - should be equally divided between both genders.

A strong 69% of Indians believe that more women in leadership positions - whether in business or government - is essential to advancing gender equality.

Amit Adarkar, CEO of Ipsos India, noted that the findings reflect India’s steady progress, aided by government initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Lakhpati Didi, which promote education and economic empowerment for women.

"It is encouraging to see that both men and women in India are aligned in their views on equal treatment and opportunities for women," Adarkar said. He also referenced a World Economic Forum report, which estimates that it could take five generations to achieve full gender parity.

Despite growing acceptance of gender equality, certain traditional beliefs persist. The survey found that many Indians still expect men to be the primary breadwinners, while the concept of stay-at-home fathers remains widely unaccepted.

A striking 60% of Indians believe that a man who stays home to care for his children is seen as "less of a man." This perception has actually increased from 39% in 2019 to 60% in 2025, significantly higher than the global average of 19%. In contrast, South Korea topped the list with 69% holding this view.

Furthermore, the survey revealed that 64% of Indians feel that men are being unfairly pressured to support gender equality through what they see as "overambitious policies."