GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Chemical Industry Statistics

Chemical industry DEI boosts leadership, innovation, satisfaction, and performance.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

DEI initiatives in the chemical industry have led to a 20% increase in employee engagement scores

Statistic 2

Mental health programs addressing DEI issues have been adopted by 30% of chemical corporations

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Ethnic minorities comprise approximately 15% of the chemical industry's workforce

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Less than 10% of chemical industry executives are women of color

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The chemical industry’s global gender pay gap is approximately 18%

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Only 8% of chemical industry R&D roles are held by women

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Hispanic or Latinx professionals represent roughly 10% of the chemical industry workforce

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The proportion of LGBTQ+ employees in the chemical industry is estimated at 5%

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Only 4% of chemical industry CEOs are women

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The average age of workers in the chemical industry is 44 years, with underrepresented groups tending to be younger

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The chemical industry’s supplier diversity programs have increased procurement from diverse suppliers by 25%

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Only 3% of chemical industry patents are filed by women, indicating a significant gender gap in innovation

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The percentage of LGBTQ+ employees in the chemical industry is higher in North American firms at 7%, compared to 3% in European firms

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Women hold approximately 22% of leadership roles in the chemical industry

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Companies with diverse leadership are 25% more likely to outperform their peers financially

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In 2022, only 17% of chemical industry board seats were held by women

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Nearly 55% of chemical companies aim to achieve gender parity in leadership roles by 2030

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Women of color in the chemical industry earn on average 32% less than white men in executive roles

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Engineering roles in the chemical industry are only 12% held by individuals from underrepresented racial groups

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Millennials and Gen Z employees in the chemical industry place a higher importance on DEI policies, with 78% considering it a key factor in employer choice

Statistic 21

The retention rate of diverse employees in the chemical sector increases by 30% when inclusive culture initiatives are introduced

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45% of chemical industry employees believe their companies could do more to promote diversity

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In 2021, 65% of chemical companies reported having DEI policies in place

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Companies with targeted diversity recruitment programs see a 20% increase in minority hires

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50% of chemical industry executives believe innovation is driven by diverse teams

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Companies with high DEI scores report 35% higher customer satisfaction

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African American representation in chemical engineering roles is approximately 8%

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In 2023, 40% of chemical companies provided unconscious bias training to staff

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60% of employees from underrepresented groups believe their workplace values diversity

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Initiatives to increase gender diversity in the chemical industry saw a 15% rise in the number of women in STEM roles over the past five years

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Initiatives targeting ethnic minorities have resulted in a 10% increase in their representation in engineering roles

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The average annual salary for diverse employees in the chemical industry is 12% lower than their counterparts, highlighting pay disparity

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70% of young professionals in the chemical industry believe that inclusive leadership is critical for career advancement

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Only 18% of chemical industry research funding is allocated to projects led by women or minorities

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Women in chemical manufacturing roles report a 25% higher job satisfaction when working in inclusive workplaces

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52% of chemical industry employees have experienced or witnessed discrimination, according to recent surveys

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The percentage of women in senior technical roles increased by 10% after targeted mentorship programs

Statistic 38

The chemical industry’s global DEI policies are most comprehensive in North America, with 75% of companies adopting formal policies

Statistic 39

Companies with robust inclusion policies see a 14% reduction in employee turnover

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Minority representation in chemical R&D teams increased by 18% after diversity hiring initiatives

Statistic 41

42% of chemical companies report facing challenges in recruiting underrepresented groups

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Sensitivity training to reduce bias was implemented by 55% of chemical companies in 2022

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The presence of DEI officers in chemical companies increased by 35% over the past three years

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Over 65% of chemical companies participate in industry-wide diversity benchmarking programs

Statistic 45

48% of chemical companies have implemented inclusive hiring practices in the last two years

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Key Highlights

Women hold approximately 22% of leadership roles in the chemical industry
Companies with diverse leadership are 25% more likely to outperform their peers financially
In 2022, only 17% of chemical industry board seats were held by women
Ethnic minorities comprise approximately 15% of the chemical industry's workforce
Engineering roles in the chemical industry are only 12% held by individuals from underrepresented racial groups
Millennials and Gen Z employees in the chemical industry place a higher importance on DEI policies, with 78% considering it a key factor in employer choice
The retention rate of diverse employees in the chemical sector increases by 30% when inclusive culture initiatives are introduced
45% of chemical industry employees believe their companies could do more to promote diversity
Less than 10% of chemical industry executives are women of color
In 2021, 65% of chemical companies reported having DEI policies in place
The chemical industry’s global gender pay gap is approximately 18%
Only 8% of chemical industry R&D roles are held by women
Companies with targeted diversity recruitment programs see a 20% increase in minority hires

Despite only 17% of board seats held by women and women occupying just 22% of leadership roles, the chemical industry is recognizing that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion can boost innovation, improve financial performance, and foster more engaging workplaces—yet significant gaps and challenges remain.

Employee Engagement

DEI initiatives in the chemical industry have led to a 20% increase in employee engagement scores

Employee Engagement Interpretation

A 20% boost in employee engagement thanks to DEI initiatives signals that the chemical industry’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion not only fosters a more vibrant workplace but also fuels innovation and productivity.

Employee Engagement, Retention, and Well-being

Mental health programs addressing DEI issues have been adopted by 30% of chemical corporations

Employee Engagement, Retention, and Well-being Interpretation

While only 30% of chemical corporations have adopted mental health programs addressing DEI, this modest uptake underscores both progress and the urgent need for the industry to prioritize mental well-being as a cornerstone of true inclusivity.

Industry Demographics and Representation

Ethnic minorities comprise approximately 15% of the chemical industry's workforce
Less than 10% of chemical industry executives are women of color
The chemical industry’s global gender pay gap is approximately 18%
Only 8% of chemical industry R&D roles are held by women
Hispanic or Latinx professionals represent roughly 10% of the chemical industry workforce
The proportion of LGBTQ+ employees in the chemical industry is estimated at 5%
Only 4% of chemical industry CEOs are women
The average age of workers in the chemical industry is 44 years, with underrepresented groups tending to be younger
The chemical industry’s supplier diversity programs have increased procurement from diverse suppliers by 25%
Only 3% of chemical industry patents are filed by women, indicating a significant gender gap in innovation
The percentage of LGBTQ+ employees in the chemical industry is higher in North American firms at 7%, compared to 3% in European firms

Industry Demographics and Representation Interpretation

Despite strides in supplier diversity and a youthful underrepresented workforce, the chemical industry's glaring gender and ethnic disparities reveal a pressing need for inclusive innovation if it hopes to remain in the substance of its own future.

Leadership and Corporate Governance

Women hold approximately 22% of leadership roles in the chemical industry
Companies with diverse leadership are 25% more likely to outperform their peers financially
In 2022, only 17% of chemical industry board seats were held by women
Nearly 55% of chemical companies aim to achieve gender parity in leadership roles by 2030
Women of color in the chemical industry earn on average 32% less than white men in executive roles

Leadership and Corporate Governance Interpretation

Despite promising strides toward gender parity, with over half of chemical companies aiming for leadership diversity by 2030, women—particularly women of color—still face significant pay gaps and underrepresentation in executive seats, reminding us that chemical industry progress must be both inclusive and equitable to truly catalyze innovation and growth.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion

Engineering roles in the chemical industry are only 12% held by individuals from underrepresented racial groups
Millennials and Gen Z employees in the chemical industry place a higher importance on DEI policies, with 78% considering it a key factor in employer choice
The retention rate of diverse employees in the chemical sector increases by 30% when inclusive culture initiatives are introduced
45% of chemical industry employees believe their companies could do more to promote diversity
In 2021, 65% of chemical companies reported having DEI policies in place
Companies with targeted diversity recruitment programs see a 20% increase in minority hires
50% of chemical industry executives believe innovation is driven by diverse teams
Companies with high DEI scores report 35% higher customer satisfaction
African American representation in chemical engineering roles is approximately 8%
In 2023, 40% of chemical companies provided unconscious bias training to staff
60% of employees from underrepresented groups believe their workplace values diversity
Initiatives to increase gender diversity in the chemical industry saw a 15% rise in the number of women in STEM roles over the past five years
Initiatives targeting ethnic minorities have resulted in a 10% increase in their representation in engineering roles
The average annual salary for diverse employees in the chemical industry is 12% lower than their counterparts, highlighting pay disparity
70% of young professionals in the chemical industry believe that inclusive leadership is critical for career advancement
Only 18% of chemical industry research funding is allocated to projects led by women or minorities
Women in chemical manufacturing roles report a 25% higher job satisfaction when working in inclusive workplaces
52% of chemical industry employees have experienced or witnessed discrimination, according to recent surveys
The percentage of women in senior technical roles increased by 10% after targeted mentorship programs
The chemical industry’s global DEI policies are most comprehensive in North America, with 75% of companies adopting formal policies
Companies with robust inclusion policies see a 14% reduction in employee turnover
Minority representation in chemical R&D teams increased by 18% after diversity hiring initiatives
42% of chemical companies report facing challenges in recruiting underrepresented groups
Sensitivity training to reduce bias was implemented by 55% of chemical companies in 2022
The presence of DEI officers in chemical companies increased by 35% over the past three years
Over 65% of chemical companies participate in industry-wide diversity benchmarking programs
48% of chemical companies have implemented inclusive hiring practices in the last two years

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Interpretation

Despite 65% of chemical companies claiming to have DEI policies, the industry's engineering workforce remains only 12% from underrepresented racial groups, revealing that policies alone are insufficient without genuine implementation, a fact underscored by the stark pay disparities and the need for continuous, targeted inclusivity efforts to truly diversify both talent and innovation.