GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Consulting Industry Statistics

Majority of consulting firms invest in diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives in 2023.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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85% of consulting firms have implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives in 2023

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60% of consulting industry employees believe their firms are actively working towards greater diversity

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45% of consulting firms have a dedicated DEI officer or committee as of 2023

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70% of millennial consultants prioritize diversity and inclusion in employer selection

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52% of consulting firms have conducted DEI training for their employees in 2023

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15% of consulting clients have specific DEI goals requiring their consultants to meet certain diversity metrics

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38% of consulting firms report having a formal sponsorship program for underrepresented groups

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25% of consulting firms report experiencing challenges in increasing diversity, citing barriers such as unconscious bias and pipeline issues

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78% of consulting firms have integrated D&I metrics into their performance evaluations

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42% of consulting firms offer mentorship programs specifically for underrepresented minorities

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92% of consulting firms have publicly committed to increasing diversity by 2025

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LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives have increased by 25% across consulting firms since 2022

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30% of consulting firms report they have specific policies addressing racial bias, discrimination, and harassment

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68% of consulting firms have increased their focus on supplier diversity programs, sourcing from minority-owned businesses

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only 33% of consulting executives feel confident in their firm's progress on DEI goals

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47% of millennial consulting professionals report that their firms are actively working to increase diversity

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35% of consulting firms have formal DEI goals tied to executive compensation

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46% of industry leadership agree that increasing representation of minorities is top priority

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90% of consulting firms have introduced unconscious bias training in the past two years

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54% of consulting employees believe their firm’s diversity initiatives are transparent and measurable

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39% of consulting firms have implemented blind recruitment processes to mitigate bias

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27% of consulting firms partner with external organizations to enhance diversity recruitment efforts

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72% of consulting organizations have dedicated diversity, equity, and inclusion budgets in 2023

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20% of consulting industry employees have participated in DEI-related workshops or training in the past year

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51% of consulting employees say that leadership demonstrates commitment to DEI through actions, not just words

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65% of consulting firms report that diversity improves team performance

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55% of consulting firms have seen increased revenue attributable to diversity initiatives in 2023

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48% of consulting industry employees feel that their firm’s DEI policies are genuinely impactful

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Consulting firms with higher levels of gender and racial diversity are 35% more likely to outperform less diverse competitors

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58% of consulting employees believe diversity initiatives positively impact innovation

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15% of consulting firms have received awards or recognition for their diversity efforts in 2023

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40% of clients prefer to work with consulting firms with strong diversity records

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50% of consulting industry leaders believe DEI is now a core part of strategy, not just a values add-on

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75% of clients in the industry believe that diversity enhances creativity and problem-solving

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80% of consulting companies see intersectionality—multiple identities—as a key factor in diversity strategies

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65% of consulting professionals believe that clients are increasingly holding firms accountable for diversity outcomes

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Women constitute approximately 35% of consulting leadership roles globally

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28% of consulting employees are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups

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The gender pay gap in consulting is approximately 12%, with women earning less than men on average

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32% of consultants identify as LGBTQ+, according to recent industry surveys

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Black professionals make up about 8% of consulting industry employees

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The percentage of remote consulting workers from diverse backgrounds has increased by 20% since 2021

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More than half of consulting firms report challenges in retaining diverse talent, with 35% citing lack of advancement opportunities

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62% of consulting employees from minority backgrounds report feeling included at work, compared to 80% of majority groups

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22% of consulting employees are from foreign countries, indicating global diversity

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Firms specializing in healthcare and technology have higher than industry-average diversity rates, each exceeding 40%

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Key Highlights

85% of consulting firms have implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives in 2023
Women constitute approximately 35% of consulting leadership roles globally
60% of consulting industry employees believe their firms are actively working towards greater diversity
45% of consulting firms have a dedicated DEI officer or committee as of 2023
28% of consulting employees are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
70% of millennial consultants prioritize diversity and inclusion in employer selection
52% of consulting firms have conducted DEI training for their employees in 2023
40% of clients prefer to work with consulting firms with strong diversity records
The gender pay gap in consulting is approximately 12%, with women earning less than men on average
65% of consulting firms report that diversity improves team performance
32% of consultants identify as LGBTQ+, according to recent industry surveys
15% of consulting clients have specific DEI goals requiring their consultants to meet certain diversity metrics
55% of consulting firms have seen increased revenue attributable to diversity initiatives in 2023

As the consulting industry races toward a more inclusive future, data shows that 85% of firms have implemented DEI initiatives in 2023—yet challenges like the gender pay gap and underrepresentation of minorities remain, highlighting both progress and the road ahead.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives and Policies

85% of consulting firms have implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives in 2023
60% of consulting industry employees believe their firms are actively working towards greater diversity
45% of consulting firms have a dedicated DEI officer or committee as of 2023
70% of millennial consultants prioritize diversity and inclusion in employer selection
52% of consulting firms have conducted DEI training for their employees in 2023
15% of consulting clients have specific DEI goals requiring their consultants to meet certain diversity metrics
38% of consulting firms report having a formal sponsorship program for underrepresented groups
25% of consulting firms report experiencing challenges in increasing diversity, citing barriers such as unconscious bias and pipeline issues
78% of consulting firms have integrated D&I metrics into their performance evaluations
42% of consulting firms offer mentorship programs specifically for underrepresented minorities
92% of consulting firms have publicly committed to increasing diversity by 2025
LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives have increased by 25% across consulting firms since 2022
30% of consulting firms report they have specific policies addressing racial bias, discrimination, and harassment
68% of consulting firms have increased their focus on supplier diversity programs, sourcing from minority-owned businesses
only 33% of consulting executives feel confident in their firm's progress on DEI goals
47% of millennial consulting professionals report that their firms are actively working to increase diversity
35% of consulting firms have formal DEI goals tied to executive compensation
46% of industry leadership agree that increasing representation of minorities is top priority
90% of consulting firms have introduced unconscious bias training in the past two years
54% of consulting employees believe their firm’s diversity initiatives are transparent and measurable
39% of consulting firms have implemented blind recruitment processes to mitigate bias
27% of consulting firms partner with external organizations to enhance diversity recruitment efforts
72% of consulting organizations have dedicated diversity, equity, and inclusion budgets in 2023

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives and Policies Interpretation

While 85% of consulting firms have embraced diversity initiatives and nearly all have committed publicly to increasing representation by 2025, only a third of executives feel confident in their progress—highlighting that despite ambitious goals and widespread efforts like unconscious bias training and dedicated DEI budgets, the industry still navigates cautious optimism amid persistent systemic challenges.

Employee Engagement, Satisfaction, and Professional Development

20% of consulting industry employees have participated in DEI-related workshops or training in the past year
51% of consulting employees say that leadership demonstrates commitment to DEI through actions, not just words

Employee Engagement, Satisfaction, and Professional Development Interpretation

While only a fifth of consulting professionals have engaged in DEI training, over half see genuine leadership commitment in actions rather than words, suggesting progress but still room to turn intentions into widespread participation.

Impact of DEI on Business Performance and Recognition

65% of consulting firms report that diversity improves team performance
55% of consulting firms have seen increased revenue attributable to diversity initiatives in 2023
48% of consulting industry employees feel that their firm’s DEI policies are genuinely impactful
Consulting firms with higher levels of gender and racial diversity are 35% more likely to outperform less diverse competitors
58% of consulting employees believe diversity initiatives positively impact innovation
15% of consulting firms have received awards or recognition for their diversity efforts in 2023

Impact of DEI on Business Performance and Recognition Interpretation

While over half of consulting firms see revenue boosts and improved performance through diversity, the fact that only 48% feel their DEI policies are genuinely impactful suggests there's still a critical gap between recognition and authentic inclusion, proving that true diversity isn't just good for business—it's essential for genuine innovation and competitive excellence.

Industry Perceptions and Client Preferences

40% of clients prefer to work with consulting firms with strong diversity records
50% of consulting industry leaders believe DEI is now a core part of strategy, not just a values add-on
75% of clients in the industry believe that diversity enhances creativity and problem-solving
80% of consulting companies see intersectionality—multiple identities—as a key factor in diversity strategies
65% of consulting professionals believe that clients are increasingly holding firms accountable for diversity outcomes

Industry Perceptions and Client Preferences Interpretation

In a consulting landscape where 75% of clients see diversity as a catalyst for innovation and 65% hold firms accountable for tangible DEI results, the message is clear: embracing intersectionality and embedding inclusion into core strategy isn’t just ethical—it’s essential for competitive relevance.

Workforce Composition and Demographics

Women constitute approximately 35% of consulting leadership roles globally
28% of consulting employees are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
The gender pay gap in consulting is approximately 12%, with women earning less than men on average
32% of consultants identify as LGBTQ+, according to recent industry surveys
Black professionals make up about 8% of consulting industry employees
The percentage of remote consulting workers from diverse backgrounds has increased by 20% since 2021
More than half of consulting firms report challenges in retaining diverse talent, with 35% citing lack of advancement opportunities
62% of consulting employees from minority backgrounds report feeling included at work, compared to 80% of majority groups
22% of consulting employees are from foreign countries, indicating global diversity
Firms specializing in healthcare and technology have higher than industry-average diversity rates, each exceeding 40%

Workforce Composition and Demographics Interpretation

Despite notable strides in diversity—such as increased remote inclusion and sector-specific gains—consulting remains a field where women, minorities, and LGBTQ+ professionals still face disparities in representation, pay, and advancement, revealing that true equity in the industry is yet to be achieved.