GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Packaging Industry Statistics

Diversity boosts innovation, profitability, employee retention in packaging 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

70% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from a brand that demonstrates diversity and inclusion

Statistic 2

Millennials and Gen Z expect brands in the packaging industry to demonstrate DEI commitment, with 73% willing to pay more for inclusive brands

Statistic 3

Only 20% of packaging marketing campaigns effectively address diverse audiences

Statistic 4

41% of industry leaders say their DEI initiatives have led to increased customer satisfaction

Statistic 5

48% of packaging industry employees believe their company could improve its diversity efforts

Statistic 6

81% of respondents say their company's DEI initiatives impact employee retention positively

Statistic 7

55% of industry employees feel their workplaces could do more to promote inclusive cultures

Statistic 8

25% of packaging industry employees are actively engaged in DEI initiatives at their workplace

Statistic 9

66% of industry workers agree that diversity efforts positively influence company reputation

Statistic 10

49% of employees in the packaging sector report that DEI initiatives make their workplace feel more inclusive

Statistic 11

44% of employees say that management's commitment to DEI influences their job satisfaction

Statistic 12

72% of packaging employees believe that inclusive workplaces foster better innovation

Statistic 13

58% of industry respondents agree that their DEI efforts have led to improved employee engagement

Statistic 14

48% of packaging industry employees believe that their company’s DEI efforts are not enough

Statistic 15

53% of respondents see a link between DEI initiatives and improved innovation capabilities

Statistic 16

65% of packaging companies have reported increasing diversity initiatives in the last 3 years

Statistic 17

47% of industry leaders believe that DEI initiatives boost team collaboration

Statistic 18

65% of industry leaders say that supplier diversity is important for overall diversity goals

Statistic 19

The average age of employees in the packaging industry is increasing, with more initiatives focusing on age diversity

Statistic 20

65% of packaging firms are actively incorporating sustainability with DEI strategies

Statistic 21

66% of industry respondents feel DEI is a key driver for future growth

Statistic 22

Women hold approximately 22% of executive positions in the packaging industry

Statistic 23

Ethnic minorities comprise about 18% of the workforce in the packaging industry

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Minority-owned packaging businesses account for approximately 15% of the industry

Statistic 25

30% of packaging industry workers have experienced workplace bias or discrimination

Statistic 26

Less than 15% of the packaging industry’s leadership is composed of minorities

Statistic 27

50% of packaging firms plan to increase their diversity hiring targets in the upcoming year

Statistic 28

LGBTQ+ representation remains below 10% among packaging industry leadership

Statistic 29

29% of marketing and packaging campaigns target diverse communities explicitly

Statistic 30

39% of packaging industry workers are from underrepresented groups

Statistic 31

62% of packaging companies report progress in hiring diverse candidates

Statistic 32

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

Statistic 33

Companies in the top quartile for ethnic and cultural diversity are 36% more likely to outperform those in the bottom quartile

Statistic 34

Only 10% of packaging industry employees report that their company actively measures diversity and inclusion efforts

Statistic 35

A survey found 58% of packaging industry workers believe their workplace is not sufficiently diverse

Statistic 36

55% of packaging companies report a skills gap related to diversity and inclusion

Statistic 37

Only 25% of leadership development programs in packaging include DEI components

Statistic 38

40% of packaging manufacturers have implemented DEI training programs

Statistic 39

60% of industry leaders agree that diversity improves innovation within their teams

Statistic 40

Companies with inclusive cultures are 2.3 times more likely to meet or exceed financial targets

Statistic 41

42% of packaging industry leaders acknowledge that their DEI efforts lack clear measurement metrics

Statistic 42

62% of millennials in the packaging industry value working for companies that promote social justice

Statistic 43

35% of companies plan to increase their DEI budgets over the next year

Statistic 44

78% of packaging companies recognize diversity as a competitive advantage

Statistic 45

54% of respondents believe that their companies are lagging behind in achieving diversity goals

Statistic 46

69% of packaging companies plan to implement new DEI policies in the next 12 months

Statistic 47

70% of packaging organizations view DEI as essential for innovation

Statistic 48

Only 13% of packaging firms have comprehensive DEI metrics

Statistic 49

About 60% of packaging companies support employee resource groups (ERGs) aimed at promoting inclusivity

Statistic 50

35% of packaging industry leaders believe DEI efforts need stronger executive sponsorship

Statistic 51

45% of packaging companies conduct regular DEI training, but only 30% evaluate its effectiveness

Statistic 52

About 28% of packaging companies have formal programs to support racial equity

Statistic 53

54% of packaging industry respondents feel their workplace lacks sufficient cultural competency

Statistic 54

38% of packaging businesses have diversity-focused recruitment strategies

Statistic 55

59% of packaging companies see DEI as a way to attract top talent

Statistic 56

43% of packaging industry HR professionals report difficulties in implementing DEI initiatives

Statistic 57

71% of companies believe that DEI improves overall organizational performance

Statistic 58

47% of packaging companies prioritize DEI training for middle management

Statistic 59

50% of storage and logistics packaging providers have DEI policies in place

Statistic 60

55% of industry stakeholders seek greater transparency in DEI reporting

Statistic 61

69% of packaging companies emphasize the importance of inclusive leadership

Statistic 62

36% of packaging industry professionals have experienced or witnessed bias in the workplace

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Key Highlights

Companies with diverse leadership teams are 33% more likely to outperform their peers financially
70% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from a brand that demonstrates diversity and inclusion
Women hold approximately 22% of executive positions in the packaging industry
Ethnic minorities comprise about 18% of the workforce in the packaging industry
Companies in the top quartile for ethnic and cultural diversity are 36% more likely to outperform those in the bottom quartile
Only 10% of packaging industry employees report that their company actively measures diversity and inclusion efforts
65% of packaging companies have reported increasing diversity initiatives in the last 3 years
Millennials and Gen Z expect brands in the packaging industry to demonstrate DEI commitment, with 73% willing to pay more for inclusive brands
A survey found 58% of packaging industry workers believe their workplace is not sufficiently diverse
Minority-owned packaging businesses account for approximately 15% of the industry
55% of packaging companies report a skills gap related to diversity and inclusion
Only 25% of leadership development programs in packaging include DEI components
48% of packaging industry employees believe their company could improve its diversity efforts

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are transforming the packaging industry, where companies embracing DEI are not only fostering innovation and improving performance but also meeting the rising expectations of a more socially conscious consumer base.

Consumer Perceptions and Expectations

70% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from a brand that demonstrates diversity and inclusion
Millennials and Gen Z expect brands in the packaging industry to demonstrate DEI commitment, with 73% willing to pay more for inclusive brands
Only 20% of packaging marketing campaigns effectively address diverse audiences
41% of industry leaders say their DEI initiatives have led to increased customer satisfaction

Consumer Perceptions and Expectations Interpretation

While 70% of consumers and 73% of Millennials and Gen Z are ready to reward brands that champion diversity and inclusion in packaging, the fact that only 20% of campaigns actually resonate with diverse audiences underscores the packaging industry's urgent need to walk the talk in DEI efforts—because profits and reputation both depend on it.

Employee Attitudes and Awareness toward Diversity Efforts

48% of packaging industry employees believe their company could improve its diversity efforts
81% of respondents say their company's DEI initiatives impact employee retention positively
55% of industry employees feel their workplaces could do more to promote inclusive cultures
25% of packaging industry employees are actively engaged in DEI initiatives at their workplace
66% of industry workers agree that diversity efforts positively influence company reputation
49% of employees in the packaging sector report that DEI initiatives make their workplace feel more inclusive
44% of employees say that management's commitment to DEI influences their job satisfaction
72% of packaging employees believe that inclusive workplaces foster better innovation
58% of industry respondents agree that their DEI efforts have led to improved employee engagement
48% of packaging industry employees believe that their company’s DEI efforts are not enough
53% of respondents see a link between DEI initiatives and improved innovation capabilities

Employee Attitudes and Awareness toward Diversity Efforts Interpretation

Despite over half of packaging industry employees recognizing the positive impact of DEI efforts on reputation and innovation, a significant portion still sees room for meaningful improvement, highlighting that progress remains as much an aspiration as a reality in fostering truly inclusive workplaces.

Industry Trends and Initiatives on Diversity and Inclusion

65% of packaging companies have reported increasing diversity initiatives in the last 3 years
47% of industry leaders believe that DEI initiatives boost team collaboration
65% of industry leaders say that supplier diversity is important for overall diversity goals
The average age of employees in the packaging industry is increasing, with more initiatives focusing on age diversity
65% of packaging firms are actively incorporating sustainability with DEI strategies
66% of industry respondents feel DEI is a key driver for future growth

Industry Trends and Initiatives on Diversity and Inclusion Interpretation

As packaging companies increasingly embrace diversity, from age to sustainability, it seems that fostering inclusion is not only morally right but also the best way to seal the deal on future growth.

Representation of Women and Minorities

Women hold approximately 22% of executive positions in the packaging industry
Ethnic minorities comprise about 18% of the workforce in the packaging industry
Minority-owned packaging businesses account for approximately 15% of the industry
30% of packaging industry workers have experienced workplace bias or discrimination
Less than 15% of the packaging industry’s leadership is composed of minorities
50% of packaging firms plan to increase their diversity hiring targets in the upcoming year
LGBTQ+ representation remains below 10% among packaging industry leadership
29% of marketing and packaging campaigns target diverse communities explicitly
39% of packaging industry workers are from underrepresented groups
62% of packaging companies report progress in hiring diverse candidates

Representation of Women and Minorities Interpretation

While progress crests at half of packaging firms aiming to boost diversity, the industry still lags behind in true representation, with women and minorities in leadership roles and workplace biases highlighting that packaging’s diversity journey remains pretty much under wraps.

Workplace Diversity and Leadership Equity

Companies with diverse leadership teams are 33% more likely to outperform their peers financially
Companies in the top quartile for ethnic and cultural diversity are 36% more likely to outperform those in the bottom quartile
Only 10% of packaging industry employees report that their company actively measures diversity and inclusion efforts
A survey found 58% of packaging industry workers believe their workplace is not sufficiently diverse
55% of packaging companies report a skills gap related to diversity and inclusion
Only 25% of leadership development programs in packaging include DEI components
40% of packaging manufacturers have implemented DEI training programs
60% of industry leaders agree that diversity improves innovation within their teams
Companies with inclusive cultures are 2.3 times more likely to meet or exceed financial targets
42% of packaging industry leaders acknowledge that their DEI efforts lack clear measurement metrics
62% of millennials in the packaging industry value working for companies that promote social justice
35% of companies plan to increase their DEI budgets over the next year
78% of packaging companies recognize diversity as a competitive advantage
54% of respondents believe that their companies are lagging behind in achieving diversity goals
69% of packaging companies plan to implement new DEI policies in the next 12 months
70% of packaging organizations view DEI as essential for innovation
Only 13% of packaging firms have comprehensive DEI metrics
About 60% of packaging companies support employee resource groups (ERGs) aimed at promoting inclusivity
35% of packaging industry leaders believe DEI efforts need stronger executive sponsorship
45% of packaging companies conduct regular DEI training, but only 30% evaluate its effectiveness
About 28% of packaging companies have formal programs to support racial equity
54% of packaging industry respondents feel their workplace lacks sufficient cultural competency
38% of packaging businesses have diversity-focused recruitment strategies
59% of packaging companies see DEI as a way to attract top talent
43% of packaging industry HR professionals report difficulties in implementing DEI initiatives
71% of companies believe that DEI improves overall organizational performance
47% of packaging companies prioritize DEI training for middle management
50% of storage and logistics packaging providers have DEI policies in place
55% of industry stakeholders seek greater transparency in DEI reporting
69% of packaging companies emphasize the importance of inclusive leadership
36% of packaging industry professionals have experienced or witnessed bias in the workplace

Workplace Diversity and Leadership Equity Interpretation

Despite over three-quarters of packaging companies recognizing diversity as a competitive advantage and a clear link between inclusive leadership and financial outperforming, the industry's paradox lies in only 13% employing comprehensive DEI metrics and a significant portion still perceiving their workplace as insufficiently diverse, underscoring that without concrete measurement and committed action, diversity remains an aspirational ideal rather than a strategic reality.