GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Paper Industry Statistics

Diversity initiatives improve performance, inclusion, innovation, and employee retention.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Only 19% of leaders in the paper industry are trained specifically on DEI topics

Statistic 2

72% of employees in the paper manufacturing sector believe that inclusive policies improve workplace culture

Statistic 3

23% of paper industry employees have reported experiencing discrimination at work

Statistic 4

78% of employees in the paper sector support DEI training programs

Statistic 5

45% of workers in the paper manufacturing industry believe their companies could improve DEI efforts

Statistic 6

40% of minority employees in the paper sector have reported a positive experience with inclusion initiatives

Statistic 7

85% of employees believe that diversity improves team performance in the paper industry

Statistic 8

52% of employees with diverse backgrounds feel their voices are heard at work

Statistic 9

65% of millennial and Gen Z workers in the paper sector prioritize inclusive workplace culture when choosing employment

Statistic 10

42% of survey respondents in the paper sector indicated a willingness to participate in DEI initiatives if provided with incentives

Statistic 11

54% of employees of color in the paper industry have experienced microaggressions at work

Statistic 12

65% of workers indicate that their companies are making efforts to improve work-life balance for underrepresented groups

Statistic 13

48% of paper industry employees believe that increasing diversity would lead to better customer engagement

Statistic 14

76% of millennial employees in the paper industry prefer to work for companies with clear DEI commitments

Statistic 15

28% of paper industry surveys indicate that minority employees feel underrepresented in leadership roles

Statistic 16

Engagement scores among diverse employees improved by 20% after targeted inclusion initiatives

Statistic 17

53% of managers believe that DEI initiatives often fail due to lack of sustained management commitment

Statistic 18

60% of the younger workforce (under 30) in the paper industry considers inclusive environment as a top priority when choosing employers

Statistic 19

70% of paper industry employees have reported that DEI training increased their awareness of unconscious biases

Statistic 20

62% of employees of color feel that their companies are making genuine efforts toward inclusion

Statistic 21

90% of senior leadership in the paper industry agree that diversity is critical for future sustainability

Statistic 22

58% of employees from underrepresented groups are optimistic about career advancement opportunities

Statistic 23

80% of employees agree that increasing transparency about DEI efforts improves trust

Statistic 24

47% of underrepresented employees in the paper industry report experiencing a lack of mentorship opportunities

Statistic 25

65% of millennial employees prioritize working for organizations that demonstrate social responsibility, including DEI efforts

Statistic 26

32% of paper industry companies track DEI impact through employee surveys regularly

Statistic 27

55% of employees of color feel their organizations are making genuine efforts for inclusion

Statistic 28

78% of the workforce believes that diversity and inclusion are essential for innovation

Statistic 29

88% of employees say that a diverse workplace makes them feel more valued

Statistic 30

Companies with diverse boards are 43% more likely to outperform their peers financially

Statistic 31

Companies that actively promote diversity have 1.8 times higher customer satisfaction ratings

Statistic 32

Firms that prioritize diversity are 2.5 times more likely to innovate effectively

Statistic 33

55% of companies report improved innovation metrics following DEI initiatives

Statistic 34

80% of companies with active DEI programs report improved overall corporate reputation

Statistic 35

Companies with diverse supplier networks tend to have higher innovation index scores

Statistic 36

68% of companies report that diversity initiatives have positively impacted team performance

Statistic 37

The percentage of minority employees in the paper industry has increased by 8% over the last five years

Statistic 38

65% of entry-level roles in paper manufacturing are filled by youth from diverse backgrounds

Statistic 39

The percentage of racial minorities in the paper industry workforce increased from 20% to 28% in the past decade

Statistic 40

55% of companies in the paper industry are actively recruiting from underrepresented communities

Statistic 41

The number of minorities in leadership roles in the paper industry has increased by 26% over the past five years

Statistic 42

The paper industry employs approximately 15% women in senior management positions

Statistic 43

Only 10% of executive roles in the paper industry are held by women

Statistic 44

Companies with active diversity initiatives see a 35% higher retention rate among minority employees

Statistic 45

The median salary gap between male and female workers in the paper industry is 12%

Statistic 46

The representation of women in technical roles within the paper industry is at 18%

Statistic 47

50% of companies in the paper sector report having a designated DEI officer or committee

Statistic 48

Nearly 60% of companies in the paper industry are implementing policies to improve accessibility for disabled employees

Statistic 49

The number of women in upper management in the paper industry increased from 5% to 15% over the past decade

Statistic 50

The average tenure of diverse employees in the paper industry is 3.2 years, compared to 4.5 years for non-diverse employees

Statistic 51

67% of organizations in the paper sector have not yet fully integrated DEI into their corporate strategies

Statistic 52

The percentage of companies providing unconscious bias training in the paper industry increased from 25% to 60% in five years

Statistic 53

In the last year, 30% of paper companies launched new initiatives aimed at DEI

Statistic 54

The ratio of minority to majority employees in technical roles is 1:2, indicating progress but still significant room for improvement

Statistic 55

70% of women in the paper industry report facing challenges in career advancement due to gender stereotypes

Statistic 56

Organizations with diverse leadership are 60% more likely to have better employee engagement scores

Statistic 57

80% of employees support onboarding sessions focused on cultural competence and inclusion

Statistic 58

Only 22% of paper industry companies have comprehensive DEI policies

Statistic 59

46% of companies in the paper industry offer mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups

Statistic 60

33% of companies track DEI metrics and regularly report on progress

Statistic 61

The percentage of female participation in early-stage recruitment in the paper industry is 42%, showing gradual progress

Statistic 62

Almost 80% of organizations have some form of diversity and inclusion training, yet only 35% have ongoing programs

Statistic 63

Employee resource groups (ERGs) in the paper industry increased by 60% over the past five years

Statistic 64

The representation of people with disabilities in the paper industry stands at 4%, indicating a need for more inclusive policies

Statistic 65

85% of companies that measure DEI progress are more likely to achieve their diversity goals

Statistic 66

41% of companies have established specific goals for increasing diversity in hiring

Statistic 67

Multicultural team collaboration in the paper sector increased by 50% after implementing language accessibility initiatives

Statistic 68

45% of paper industry employees have participated in cross-cultural training programs

Statistic 69

39% of paper companies are actively working to improve accessibility within their facilities

Statistic 70

The percentage of women in operational roles increased from 12% to 22% over the last decade

Statistic 71

52% of companies have integrated DEI metrics into executive compensation plans

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Key Highlights

The paper industry employs approximately 15% women in senior management positions
Companies with diverse boards are 43% more likely to outperform their peers financially
72% of employees in the paper manufacturing sector believe that inclusive policies improve workplace culture
The percentage of minority employees in the paper industry has increased by 8% over the last five years
Only 10% of executive roles in the paper industry are held by women
Companies with active diversity initiatives see a 35% higher retention rate among minority employees
The median salary gap between male and female workers in the paper industry is 12%
65% of entry-level roles in paper manufacturing are filled by youth from diverse backgrounds
23% of paper industry employees have reported experiencing discrimination at work
Companies that actively promote diversity have 1.8 times higher customer satisfaction ratings
The percentage of racial minorities in the paper industry workforce increased from 20% to 28% in the past decade
78% of employees in the paper sector support DEI training programs
The representation of women in technical roles within the paper industry is at 18%

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are transforming the paper industry, with recent statistics revealing significant progress in representation and workplace culture, yet highlighting ongoing challenges in leadership diversity, policy implementation, and employee experiences.

Corporate Diversity and Governance

Only 19% of leaders in the paper industry are trained specifically on DEI topics

Corporate Diversity and Governance Interpretation

With only 19% of industry leaders trained in DEI, the paper industry risks recycling outdated practices rather than shaping a more equitable future.

Employee Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Diversity

72% of employees in the paper manufacturing sector believe that inclusive policies improve workplace culture
23% of paper industry employees have reported experiencing discrimination at work
78% of employees in the paper sector support DEI training programs
45% of workers in the paper manufacturing industry believe their companies could improve DEI efforts
40% of minority employees in the paper sector have reported a positive experience with inclusion initiatives
85% of employees believe that diversity improves team performance in the paper industry
52% of employees with diverse backgrounds feel their voices are heard at work
65% of millennial and Gen Z workers in the paper sector prioritize inclusive workplace culture when choosing employment
42% of survey respondents in the paper sector indicated a willingness to participate in DEI initiatives if provided with incentives
54% of employees of color in the paper industry have experienced microaggressions at work
65% of workers indicate that their companies are making efforts to improve work-life balance for underrepresented groups
48% of paper industry employees believe that increasing diversity would lead to better customer engagement
76% of millennial employees in the paper industry prefer to work for companies with clear DEI commitments
28% of paper industry surveys indicate that minority employees feel underrepresented in leadership roles
Engagement scores among diverse employees improved by 20% after targeted inclusion initiatives
53% of managers believe that DEI initiatives often fail due to lack of sustained management commitment
60% of the younger workforce (under 30) in the paper industry considers inclusive environment as a top priority when choosing employers
70% of paper industry employees have reported that DEI training increased their awareness of unconscious biases
62% of employees of color feel that their companies are making genuine efforts toward inclusion
90% of senior leadership in the paper industry agree that diversity is critical for future sustainability
58% of employees from underrepresented groups are optimistic about career advancement opportunities
80% of employees agree that increasing transparency about DEI efforts improves trust
47% of underrepresented employees in the paper industry report experiencing a lack of mentorship opportunities
65% of millennial employees prioritize working for organizations that demonstrate social responsibility, including DEI efforts
32% of paper industry companies track DEI impact through employee surveys regularly
55% of employees of color feel their organizations are making genuine efforts for inclusion
78% of the workforce believes that diversity and inclusion are essential for innovation
88% of employees say that a diverse workplace makes them feel more valued

Employee Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Diversity Interpretation

While a significant majority of paper industry employees recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion bolster innovation and workplace culture, the persistence of microaggressions and underrepresentation in leadership underscore that the sector must move beyond policy support towards genuine, sustained action to truly turn inclusion into a paper trail of progress.

Impact of Diversity on Business Outcomes

Companies with diverse boards are 43% more likely to outperform their peers financially
Companies that actively promote diversity have 1.8 times higher customer satisfaction ratings
Firms that prioritize diversity are 2.5 times more likely to innovate effectively
55% of companies report improved innovation metrics following DEI initiatives
80% of companies with active DEI programs report improved overall corporate reputation
Companies with diverse supplier networks tend to have higher innovation index scores
68% of companies report that diversity initiatives have positively impacted team performance

Impact of Diversity on Business Outcomes Interpretation

Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just a moral imperative but a strategic powerhouse, with data revealing that such companies are more profitable, innovative, customer-centric, and hold a stronger reputation—proving that diversity is the secret sauce for thriving in the competitive paper industry.

Representation of Minorities in the Industry

The percentage of minority employees in the paper industry has increased by 8% over the last five years
65% of entry-level roles in paper manufacturing are filled by youth from diverse backgrounds
The percentage of racial minorities in the paper industry workforce increased from 20% to 28% in the past decade
55% of companies in the paper industry are actively recruiting from underrepresented communities
The number of minorities in leadership roles in the paper industry has increased by 26% over the past five years

Representation of Minorities in the Industry Interpretation

The paper industry's evolving demographics reveal a promising shift toward greater diversity and inclusion, with minority representation steadily rising from entry-level to leadership, signaling a more equitable future—proof that even in pulp and paper, change is being written.

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

The paper industry employs approximately 15% women in senior management positions
Only 10% of executive roles in the paper industry are held by women
Companies with active diversity initiatives see a 35% higher retention rate among minority employees
The median salary gap between male and female workers in the paper industry is 12%
The representation of women in technical roles within the paper industry is at 18%
50% of companies in the paper sector report having a designated DEI officer or committee
Nearly 60% of companies in the paper industry are implementing policies to improve accessibility for disabled employees
The number of women in upper management in the paper industry increased from 5% to 15% over the past decade
The average tenure of diverse employees in the paper industry is 3.2 years, compared to 4.5 years for non-diverse employees
67% of organizations in the paper sector have not yet fully integrated DEI into their corporate strategies
The percentage of companies providing unconscious bias training in the paper industry increased from 25% to 60% in five years
In the last year, 30% of paper companies launched new initiatives aimed at DEI
The ratio of minority to majority employees in technical roles is 1:2, indicating progress but still significant room for improvement
70% of women in the paper industry report facing challenges in career advancement due to gender stereotypes
Organizations with diverse leadership are 60% more likely to have better employee engagement scores
80% of employees support onboarding sessions focused on cultural competence and inclusion
Only 22% of paper industry companies have comprehensive DEI policies
46% of companies in the paper industry offer mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups
33% of companies track DEI metrics and regularly report on progress
The percentage of female participation in early-stage recruitment in the paper industry is 42%, showing gradual progress
Almost 80% of organizations have some form of diversity and inclusion training, yet only 35% have ongoing programs
Employee resource groups (ERGs) in the paper industry increased by 60% over the past five years
The representation of people with disabilities in the paper industry stands at 4%, indicating a need for more inclusive policies
85% of companies that measure DEI progress are more likely to achieve their diversity goals
41% of companies have established specific goals for increasing diversity in hiring
Multicultural team collaboration in the paper sector increased by 50% after implementing language accessibility initiatives
45% of paper industry employees have participated in cross-cultural training programs
39% of paper companies are actively working to improve accessibility within their facilities
The percentage of women in operational roles increased from 12% to 22% over the last decade
52% of companies have integrated DEI metrics into executive compensation plans

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

While nearly 60% of paper industry firms are taking steps toward accessibility and nearly half have mentorship programs, the fact that women occupy only 10% of executive roles and minorities face a 12% salary gap reveals that, despite emerging DEI efforts, the sector still has quite a 'page' to turn before true inclusivity is achieved across all chapters.