Only 7 Mn Women in India’s 71 Mn Real Estate Workforce

A recent report by Realty firm Max Estates and In Tandem Global Consulting in a joint report 'Concrete change -- A Study of the Economic Impact of Better Pay Parity & Inclusion of Women in Real Estate'. The report reveals that real estate sector in India employs 7.1 crore workers, but only 70 lakh of them are  women workers.  These findings highlight the need for greater gender inclusivity and equal opportunities in the real estate industry.

The report highlights a stark gender disparity in India's real estate sector, which employs 7.1 crore workers, yet only 70 lakh are women. Despite women comprising 48.5% of India’s population, they represent a mere 1.2% of the real estate workforce. This imbalance underscores the sector's contribution to India’s low Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), which currently stands at just 25.1%, despite its role as a major employment generator. The report stresses that achieving gender parity in real estate could unlock substantial economic benefits, including enhanced productivity, innovation, and profitability. However, gender inequality remains one of the most pressing challenges in the sector, preventing it from realizing its full potential.

The report calls for targeted upskilling and training programs for both blue-collar and white-collar female workers. It emphasizes the need to integrate technology and improve access to leadership roles as essential factors for promoting gender inclusivity. Addressing these issues could help women become key change-makers in the sector, driving both social and business progress.

Sahil Vachani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Max Estates, highlighted the importance of changing mindsets and pushing for action at leadership levels to create a more inclusive workforce. Shormishtha Ghosh, Founder and MD of In Tandem Global Consulting, echoed this sentiment, noting that better gender inclusion and pay parity could have a transformative impact on the sector.

The report suggests that gender disparity in the real estate industry not only affects the workforce but also limits the sector's ability to achieve its growth potential. Therefore, it calls for the real estate industry to adopt more inclusive practices to ensure that women have equal opportunities to succeed and contribute to the industry's success.