GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Petrochemical Industry Statistics

Petrochemical industry embraces diversity; improves innovation, safety, and profitability.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Companies with higher diversity levels see a 19% increase in innovation revenue

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Companies with diverse leadership see a 25% higher profitability margin

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Companies with diverse boards are 35% more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts financially

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Only 27% of petrochemical firms measure the impact of their DEI initiatives on business outcomes

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Over 80% of employees in petrochemical firms agree that a diverse workplace improves safety

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40% of employees believe that their company could do more to promote DEI

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62% of petrochemical workers agree that leadership's commitment to DEI influences their engagement

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Transparency in DEI metrics correlates with a 15% increase in employee satisfaction

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In 2022, only 15% of executive leadership in the petrochemical sector were women

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Less than 10% of senior management positions in petrochemicals are held by minorities

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The percentage of executive sponsors for DEI initiatives in petrochem companies is about 35%

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Only 22% of petrochemical companies have a formalized DEI strategy

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In 2023, only 12% of petrochemical board members were women

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The representation of minorities in leadership roles has increased by 8% since 2018

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45% of petrochemical companies have incorporated DEI goals into their overall corporate strategy

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60% of petrochemical companies have diversity and inclusion policies, but only 30% actively measure their progress

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Investment in diversity training programs in petrochemical firms increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023

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85% of petrochemical firms offer some form of DEI training, but only 42% evaluate its effectiveness

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The percentage of leadership training programs focused on DEI increased by 50% since 2020 in the petrochemical industry

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Women represent approximately 20% of the petrochemical industry workforce

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Ethnic minorities comprise about 25% of the workforce in the petrochemical industry

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The turnover rate for underrepresented groups in petrochemical firms is approximately 25% higher than for others

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70% of petrochemical industry workers support more inclusive hiring practices

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Women in the petrochemical industry earn on average 10-20% less than their male counterparts

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45% of entry-level roles in petrochemicals are filled by women, but only 15% of those advance to senior levels

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Ethnic diversity increased by 10% in petrochemical companies that implemented inclusive hiring practices over five years

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Around 30% of petrochemical workers prefer to work in companies with strong DEI commitments

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55% of petrochemical companies track the racial and gender composition of their workforce

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Over 65% of new hires in the petrochemical industry are from underrepresented groups

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The gender pay gap in the petrochemical industry is approximately 18%

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The percentage of women in technical roles in the petrochemical industry is approximately 25%

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70% of petrochemical companies actively participate in DEI-related industry collaborations

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Only 20% of petrochemical internship programs are targeted toward underrepresented groups

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There is a 15% increase in reported incidents of discrimination in petrochemical companies without strong DEI policies

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50% of petrochemical companies have a dedicated DEI officer or team

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Employee resource groups (ERGs) presence in petrochemical firms increased by 30% over five years

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The median tenure for minority employees in petrochemicals is 3 years, compared to 5 years for majority employees

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Approximately 40% of women in petrochemicals have experienced harassment or discrimination in the workplace

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The number of petrochemical companies publishing annual DEI reports increased by 25% in 2023

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80% of petrochemical firms recognize the importance of supplier diversity programs

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Ethnic diversity in entry-level petrochemical positions increased by 12% over three years

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40% of petrochemical employees believe that a more diverse workforce could lead to better safety outcomes

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The proportion of senior-level minorities increased by 9% from 2019 to 2023

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38% of petrochemical companies have established partnerships with minority-serving institutions to support workforce diversity

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Key Highlights

Women represent approximately 20% of the petrochemical industry workforce
In 2022, only 15% of executive leadership in the petrochemical sector were women
Ethnic minorities comprise about 25% of the workforce in the petrochemical industry
Less than 10% of senior management positions in petrochemicals are held by minorities
Companies with higher diversity levels see a 19% increase in innovation revenue
The turnover rate for underrepresented groups in petrochemical firms is approximately 25% higher than for others
60% of petrochemical companies have diversity and inclusion policies, but only 30% actively measure their progress
70% of petrochemical industry workers support more inclusive hiring practices
Investment in diversity training programs in petrochemical firms increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023
Women in the petrochemical industry earn on average 10-20% less than their male counterparts
45% of entry-level roles in petrochemicals are filled by women, but only 15% of those advance to senior levels
The percentage of executive sponsors for DEI initiatives in petrochem companies is about 35%
Ethnic diversity increased by 10% in petrochemical companies that implemented inclusive hiring practices over five years

Despite ongoing efforts, the petrochemical industry still faces significant challenges in achieving true diversity, equity, and inclusion, with women comprising only 20% of the workforce and minorities holding just 15% of executive roles, yet companies embracing DEI see notable benefits such as a 19% boost in innovation revenue and a 25% higher profitability margin.

Corporate Performance and Business Impact of Diversity

Companies with higher diversity levels see a 19% increase in innovation revenue
Companies with diverse leadership see a 25% higher profitability margin
Companies with diverse boards are 35% more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts financially
Only 27% of petrochemical firms measure the impact of their DEI initiatives on business outcomes

Corporate Performance and Business Impact of Diversity Interpretation

While the data glaringly reveals that diversity fuels innovation, profitability, and outperformance in the petrochemical industry, it's ironic that only a quarter of companies actively measure the true impact of their DEI efforts—perhaps implying that some are still treating diversity as a box to check rather than a strategic asset.

Employee Engagement and Support for Diversity

Over 80% of employees in petrochemical firms agree that a diverse workplace improves safety
40% of employees believe that their company could do more to promote DEI
62% of petrochemical workers agree that leadership's commitment to DEI influences their engagement
Transparency in DEI metrics correlates with a 15% increase in employee satisfaction

Employee Engagement and Support for Diversity Interpretation

Despite widespread recognition of diversity's safety benefits and leadership’s influence, the petrochemical industry’s largely secretive DEI metrics suggest there’s still much room for transparency to turn employee perceptions into measurable progress.

Leadership Representation and Inclusion Initiatives

In 2022, only 15% of executive leadership in the petrochemical sector were women
Less than 10% of senior management positions in petrochemicals are held by minorities
The percentage of executive sponsors for DEI initiatives in petrochem companies is about 35%
Only 22% of petrochemical companies have a formalized DEI strategy
In 2023, only 12% of petrochemical board members were women
The representation of minorities in leadership roles has increased by 8% since 2018
45% of petrochemical companies have incorporated DEI goals into their overall corporate strategy

Leadership Representation and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

Despite modest progress with increasing minority leadership and DEI integration, the petrochemical industry’s sluggish pace—highlighted by only 15% women in executive roles and just 22% with formalized strategies—underscores that true inclusion remains a pipeline waiting to be fulfilled rather than a pipeline fulfilled.

Training, Measurement, and Policy Implementation

60% of petrochemical companies have diversity and inclusion policies, but only 30% actively measure their progress
Investment in diversity training programs in petrochemical firms increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023
85% of petrochemical firms offer some form of DEI training, but only 42% evaluate its effectiveness
The percentage of leadership training programs focused on DEI increased by 50% since 2020 in the petrochemical industry

Training, Measurement, and Policy Implementation Interpretation

While petrochemical companies are increasingly investing in diversity and inclusion initiatives—boosting leadership training by 50% and spending on D&I programs by 40%—the disconnect between policy adoption and measurable progress suggests that many are still waiting to see if good intentions translate into real change rather than just better training reports.

Workforce Demographics and Diversity Metrics

Women represent approximately 20% of the petrochemical industry workforce
Ethnic minorities comprise about 25% of the workforce in the petrochemical industry
The turnover rate for underrepresented groups in petrochemical firms is approximately 25% higher than for others
70% of petrochemical industry workers support more inclusive hiring practices
Women in the petrochemical industry earn on average 10-20% less than their male counterparts
45% of entry-level roles in petrochemicals are filled by women, but only 15% of those advance to senior levels
Ethnic diversity increased by 10% in petrochemical companies that implemented inclusive hiring practices over five years
Around 30% of petrochemical workers prefer to work in companies with strong DEI commitments
55% of petrochemical companies track the racial and gender composition of their workforce
Over 65% of new hires in the petrochemical industry are from underrepresented groups
The gender pay gap in the petrochemical industry is approximately 18%
The percentage of women in technical roles in the petrochemical industry is approximately 25%
70% of petrochemical companies actively participate in DEI-related industry collaborations
Only 20% of petrochemical internship programs are targeted toward underrepresented groups
There is a 15% increase in reported incidents of discrimination in petrochemical companies without strong DEI policies
50% of petrochemical companies have a dedicated DEI officer or team
Employee resource groups (ERGs) presence in petrochemical firms increased by 30% over five years
The median tenure for minority employees in petrochemicals is 3 years, compared to 5 years for majority employees
Approximately 40% of women in petrochemicals have experienced harassment or discrimination in the workplace
The number of petrochemical companies publishing annual DEI reports increased by 25% in 2023
80% of petrochemical firms recognize the importance of supplier diversity programs
Ethnic diversity in entry-level petrochemical positions increased by 12% over three years
40% of petrochemical employees believe that a more diverse workforce could lead to better safety outcomes
The proportion of senior-level minorities increased by 9% from 2019 to 2023
38% of petrochemical companies have established partnerships with minority-serving institutions to support workforce diversity

Workforce Demographics and Diversity Metrics Interpretation

Despite growing recognition and incremental gains in diversity, the petrochemical industry still grapples with underrepresentation, wage gaps, and higher turnover among minorities and women, signaling that meaningful inclusion remains an ongoing challenge requiring sustained commitment beyond numbers and policy reports.