The latest data from India Skills Report 2025 from Wheebox, a global education and talent solutions organisation, highlights a shifting landscape of women’s employability and workplace preferences across India. As organisations increasingly recognise the value of gender diversity, understanding where women are gravitating for professional opportunities offers insight into regional trends and aspirations.
Rising employability among women
Women’s employability in India has seen notable changes over the past seven years. In 2019, 45.6% of women who appeared for the Global Employability Test were deemed employable. By 2020, this number had risen to 47%, only to dip slightly to 41.25% in 2021. The following years marked a steady upwards trajectory: 53.28% in 2022, 52.8% in 2023, 50.86% in 2024, and 47.53% in 2025, according to the India Skills Report 2025. These figures indicate both progress and the challenges that remain in preparing women for the workforce.
Regional preferences: Where women choose to work
Across India, female professionals have shown a clear preference for certain states. The top 10 states where women prefer working, according to Wheebox’s report, are:
Andhra Pradesh Kerala Gujarat Tamil Nadu Maharashtra Delhi Uttar Pradesh Karnataka Madhya Pradesh Haryana
Implications for employers
The patterns in these preferred states reflect broader social and economic trends. Regions that offer safety, infrastructure, and career growth attract women at higher rates. Conversely, states lagging in supportive ecosystems for women may see slower progress in female workforce participation. Employers can leverage this data to guide recruitment strategies and design policies that make workplaces more inclusive.
Looking ahead
Women’s employability is not just a metric; it is a reflection of access, education, and opportunity. For aspiring female professionals, understanding regional trends can help align career choices with environments that foster growth.
As India’s workforce evolves, these ten states stand out not merely as employment hubs, but as markers of where women are shaping the country’s professional future.
Rising employability among women
Women’s employability in India has seen notable changes over the past seven years. In 2019, 45.6% of women who appeared for the Global Employability Test were deemed employable. By 2020, this number had risen to 47%, only to dip slightly to 41.25% in 2021. The following years marked a steady upwards trajectory: 53.28% in 2022, 52.8% in 2023, 50.86% in 2024, and 47.53% in 2025, according to the India Skills Report 2025. These figures indicate both progress and the challenges that remain in preparing women for the workforce.
Regional preferences: Where women choose to work
Across India, female professionals have shown a clear preference for certain states. The top 10 states where women prefer working, according to Wheebox’s report, are:
The patterns in these preferred states reflect broader social and economic trends. Regions that offer safety, infrastructure, and career growth attract women at higher rates. Conversely, states lagging in supportive ecosystems for women may see slower progress in female workforce participation. Employers can leverage this data to guide recruitment strategies and design policies that make workplaces more inclusive.
Looking ahead
Women’s employability is not just a metric; it is a reflection of access, education, and opportunity. For aspiring female professionals, understanding regional trends can help align career choices with environments that foster growth.
As India’s workforce evolves, these ten states stand out not merely as employment hubs, but as markers of where women are shaping the country’s professional future.
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