GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Chemicals Industry Statistics

Diversity boosts innovation and profits in the chemicals industry.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

In 2023, 55% of chemicals industry employees worldwide believe their workplace is becoming more inclusive

Statistic 2

80% of employees in the chemicals sector believe leadership supports diversity efforts

Statistic 3

55% of employees feel that their workplace diversity efforts are genuine and impactful

Statistic 4

Employees from underrepresented groups report a 15% higher job satisfaction in workplaces with active DEI programs

Statistic 5

65% of chemical companies provide unconscious bias training

Statistic 6

Training programs focused on DEI have increased by 20% in the chemicals industry from 2021 to 2023

Statistic 7

Cross-cultural training programs are employed by 35% of chemical companies to promote inclusivity

Statistic 8

Companies with diverse management teams are 33% more likely to outperform their peers financially

Statistic 9

Only 15% of leadership roles in the chemicals industry are occupied by minorities

Statistic 10

Only 30% of board members in the chemical industry are women

Statistic 11

Firms with over 50% gender diversity in leadership see a 25% higher profit margin

Statistic 12

Female leadership in the chemical industry increased by 5% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 13

In the European chemical industry, 35% of new hires in leadership positions are women

Statistic 14

Less than 10% of chemical company leadership positions are held by individuals with disabilities

Statistic 15

The representation of women in senior management roles increased by 4% in 2022

Statistic 16

Over 25% of chemical industry board members are women

Statistic 17

Women constitute approximately 20-30% of the workforce in the chemicals industry globally

Statistic 18

In the US, about 17% of chemical engineers are women

Statistic 19

Minority representation in the chemicals industry in the US is around 25%

Statistic 20

40% of surveyed chemical companies have implemented diversity and inclusion strategies

Statistic 21

45% of entry-level positions in the chemicals industry are held by women

Statistic 22

The gender pay gap in the chemical manufacturing sector is approximately 12%

Statistic 23

Companies with higher ethnic and gender diversity see a 19% increase in innovation revenue

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70% of chemical companies acknowledge diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority

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60% of chemical companies report having employee resource groups for underrepresented groups

Statistic 26

25% of chemical industry employees report experiencing discrimination or bias at work

Statistic 27

Ethnic diversity in the chemicals industry has increased by 10% over the past five years

Statistic 28

Companies with strong DEI initiatives have 2.3 times higher cash flow per employee

Statistic 29

The representation of minorities in R&D roles in the chemicals industry is approximately 20%

Statistic 30

50% of chemical companies have set measurable DEI goals

Statistic 31

70% of chemical industry employees globally are unaware of their company's DEI initiatives

Statistic 32

Age diversity in the chemicals industry shows that 25% of employees are over 50 years old

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Only 18% of chemical industry suppliers and contractors have formal DEI policies

Statistic 34

Initiatives aimed at improving hiring, retention, and promotion of underrepresented groups increased by 15% in 2023

Statistic 35

In North America, 22% of chemical industry workers are from minority backgrounds

Statistic 36

30% of chemical companies have diversity and inclusion officer roles

Statistic 37

Nearly 60% of employees in the chemicals industry believe their companies could do more to promote diversity

Statistic 38

The percentage of LGBTQ+ employees in the chemicals industry is around 4%

Statistic 39

40% of chemical industry leaders believe DEI initiatives are essential for innovation

Statistic 40

Among new hires in the chemicals industry, 38% are women

Statistic 41

62% of chemical industry firms have implemented mentorship programs to support underrepresented groups

Statistic 42

50% of surveyed companies report difficulty in retaining minority employees

Statistic 43

80% of chemical companies believe that diversity improves team performance

Statistic 44

70% of chemical sector companies conduct annual DEI audits to monitor progress

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Key Highlights

Women constitute approximately 20-30% of the workforce in the chemicals industry globally
In the US, about 17% of chemical engineers are women
Minority representation in the chemicals industry in the US is around 25%
Companies with diverse management teams are 33% more likely to outperform their peers financially
40% of surveyed chemical companies have implemented diversity and inclusion strategies
45% of entry-level positions in the chemicals industry are held by women
The gender pay gap in the chemical manufacturing sector is approximately 12%
Companies with higher ethnic and gender diversity see a 19% increase in innovation revenue
Only 15% of leadership roles in the chemicals industry are occupied by minorities
70% of chemical companies acknowledge diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority
In 2023, 55% of chemicals industry employees worldwide believe their workplace is becoming more inclusive
Only 30% of board members in the chemical industry are women
60% of chemical companies report having employee resource groups for underrepresented groups

Despite making up only 20-30% of the global workforce, the chemicals industry is increasingly recognizing that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion not only fosters innovation and better decision-making but also drives significant financial gains and organizational growth.

Employee Perceptions and Workplace Culture

In 2023, 55% of chemicals industry employees worldwide believe their workplace is becoming more inclusive
80% of employees in the chemicals sector believe leadership supports diversity efforts
55% of employees feel that their workplace diversity efforts are genuine and impactful
Employees from underrepresented groups report a 15% higher job satisfaction in workplaces with active DEI programs

Employee Perceptions and Workplace Culture Interpretation

While over half of the chemicals industry’s workforce perceives progress toward inclusivity and leadership backing, the fact that only 55% feel authenticity and impact of these efforts suggests there's still a chemical reaction needed to truly dissolve barriers and elevate employee satisfaction across the board.

Inclusive Practices and Training Programs

65% of chemical companies provide unconscious bias training
Training programs focused on DEI have increased by 20% in the chemicals industry from 2021 to 2023
Cross-cultural training programs are employed by 35% of chemical companies to promote inclusivity

Inclusive Practices and Training Programs Interpretation

While a growing number of chemical companies are investing in unconscious bias and cross-cultural training to foster inclusivity, the fact that only 35% employ cross-cultural programs suggests there’s still significant room for the industry to truly emulsify diversity and equity into its core practices.

Leadership and Management Representation

Companies with diverse management teams are 33% more likely to outperform their peers financially
Only 15% of leadership roles in the chemicals industry are occupied by minorities
Only 30% of board members in the chemical industry are women
Firms with over 50% gender diversity in leadership see a 25% higher profit margin
Female leadership in the chemical industry increased by 5% from 2020 to 2023
In the European chemical industry, 35% of new hires in leadership positions are women
Less than 10% of chemical company leadership positions are held by individuals with disabilities
The representation of women in senior management roles increased by 4% in 2022
Over 25% of chemical industry board members are women

Leadership and Management Representation Interpretation

While strides are being made—such as a 4% annual increase in female senior management and a growing presence of women and minorities in leadership—it's clear that the chemical industry still has significant room to diversify its executive ranks, as companies with diverse leadership continue to outperform financially, highlighting that inclusion isn't just good ethics—it's good business.

Workforce Diversity and Demographics

Women constitute approximately 20-30% of the workforce in the chemicals industry globally
In the US, about 17% of chemical engineers are women
Minority representation in the chemicals industry in the US is around 25%
40% of surveyed chemical companies have implemented diversity and inclusion strategies
45% of entry-level positions in the chemicals industry are held by women
The gender pay gap in the chemical manufacturing sector is approximately 12%
Companies with higher ethnic and gender diversity see a 19% increase in innovation revenue
70% of chemical companies acknowledge diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority
60% of chemical companies report having employee resource groups for underrepresented groups
25% of chemical industry employees report experiencing discrimination or bias at work
Ethnic diversity in the chemicals industry has increased by 10% over the past five years
Companies with strong DEI initiatives have 2.3 times higher cash flow per employee
The representation of minorities in R&D roles in the chemicals industry is approximately 20%
50% of chemical companies have set measurable DEI goals
70% of chemical industry employees globally are unaware of their company's DEI initiatives
Age diversity in the chemicals industry shows that 25% of employees are over 50 years old
Only 18% of chemical industry suppliers and contractors have formal DEI policies
Initiatives aimed at improving hiring, retention, and promotion of underrepresented groups increased by 15% in 2023
In North America, 22% of chemical industry workers are from minority backgrounds
30% of chemical companies have diversity and inclusion officer roles
Nearly 60% of employees in the chemicals industry believe their companies could do more to promote diversity
The percentage of LGBTQ+ employees in the chemicals industry is around 4%
40% of chemical industry leaders believe DEI initiatives are essential for innovation
Among new hires in the chemicals industry, 38% are women
62% of chemical industry firms have implemented mentorship programs to support underrepresented groups
50% of surveyed companies report difficulty in retaining minority employees
80% of chemical companies believe that diversity improves team performance
70% of chemical sector companies conduct annual DEI audits to monitor progress

Workforce Diversity and Demographics Interpretation

While nearly 70% of chemical companies champion DEI as a strategic priority, the low representation of women and minorities—hovering around 20-30%—along with persistent biases and a 12% gender pay gap, reveal that the industry’s true formula for innovation remains a work in progress, demanding not just commitment but concrete actions beyond lofty policies.