GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Service Industry Statistics

Diversity boosts performance, innovation, and employee engagement in the service 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

Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors

Statistic 2

Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry median

Statistic 3

65% of consumers say they prefer to buy from brands that demonstrate a commitment to social and environmental responsibility

Statistic 4

Companies with high ethnic and cultural diversity are 1.9 times more likely to innovate

Statistic 5

60% of consumers feel companies should do more to promote diversity and inclusion

Statistic 6

Almost 40% of companies report an increase in customer satisfaction after implementing diversity initiatives

Statistic 7

53% of consumers prefer to support brands that are transparent about their DEI efforts

Statistic 8

66% of organizations report that their DEI initiatives have led to increased innovation

Statistic 9

69% of companies agree that diversity improves business performance

Statistic 10

Nearly 60% of service organizations report increased revenue after implementing inclusive hiring practices

Statistic 11

70% of employees believe diversity and inclusion are crucial for company success

Statistic 12

A study found that 61% of employees feel more engaged at workplaces that promote diversity

Statistic 13

78% of employees believe that their company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion influences their decision to stay

Statistic 14

44% of employees in the service industry reported experiencing bias or discrimination at work

Statistic 15

55% of employees in the service sector feel their work environment is less inclusive than they would like

Statistic 16

46% of employees believe that their organization is making sufficient progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts

Statistic 17

72% of employees believe that diversity and inclusion initiatives have improved workplace culture

Statistic 18

85% of employees who experience inclusive environments report higher job satisfaction

Statistic 19

78% of minority employees have observed bias in the workplace

Statistic 20

67% of women in the service industry have experienced gender discrimination or harassment

Statistic 21

59% of employees believe that a diverse workforce helps meet customer needs better

Statistic 22

42% of employees from underrepresented groups report feeling less connected to their colleagues

Statistic 23

54% of employees believe their company could do more to support diverse backgrounds

Statistic 24

A survey found that 86% of employees value workplace diversity

Statistic 25

70% of employees feel more valued in inclusive work environments

Statistic 26

In the service industry, women hold approximately 45% of managerial positions globally

Statistic 27

Only 20% of senior leadership roles in the hospitality sector are occupied by minorities

Statistic 28

The representation of women in leadership positions in the service industry has increased by only 10% in the past five years

Statistic 29

People of color are underrepresented in middle and senior management in the service industry at 25% compared to 40% of the workforce

Statistic 30

Representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in leadership roles remains under 15% in the service industry

Statistic 31

The gender pay gap in the service industry remains at approximately 15%

Statistic 32

Minority entrepreneurs face a 30% higher hurdle in accessing capital within the service industry

Statistic 33

Only 25% of middle management in the service industry is comprised of women of color

Statistic 34

In the hospitality industry, only 11% of executive chef positions are held by women

Statistic 35

In the service sector, ethnic minorities are underrepresented in leadership at just 18%

Statistic 36

The median pay gap between men and women in the service industry is around 12%

Statistic 37

Only 22% of service industry senior executives are women of color

Statistic 38

81% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that demonstrate social responsibility including DEI

Statistic 39

80% of job seekers consider workplace diversity an important factor in choosing an employer

Statistic 40

58% of companies worldwide have some form of diversity training program

Statistic 41

62% of organizations have set diversity goals for the next five years

Statistic 42

52% of companies in the service industry say they have difficulty recruiting diverse talent

Statistic 43

Only 30% of service industry companies have comprehensive DEI policies

Statistic 44

50% of senior managers agree that their leadership is fully committed to DEI initiatives

Statistic 45

Investment in DEI programs increased by 20% in the last year across the service sector

Statistic 46

63% of companies conduct annual audits to assess diversity and inclusion progress

Statistic 47

49% of service industry employees feel their managers are not adequately trained to handle issues of inclusion

Statistic 48

82% of companies agree that fostering diversity and inclusion strengthens their company culture

Statistic 49

72% of employees say they want their companies to do more to promote racial equity

Statistic 50

58% of service organizations have implemented unconscious bias training programs

Statistic 51

Service industry diversity initiatives have led to a 15% increase in employee retention

Statistic 52

65% of global companies have dedicated DEI leadership roles

Statistic 53

47% of companies have seen a positive impact on innovation from DEI initiatives

Statistic 54

Approximately 65% of service organizations have Employee Resource Groups to support diverse communities

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Key Highlights

Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors
70% of employees believe diversity and inclusion are crucial for company success
A study found that 61% of employees feel more engaged at workplaces that promote diversity
Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry median
80% of job seekers consider workplace diversity an important factor in choosing an employer
78% of employees believe that their company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion influences their decision to stay
In the service industry, women hold approximately 45% of managerial positions globally
Only 20% of senior leadership roles in the hospitality sector are occupied by minorities
58% of companies worldwide have some form of diversity training program
65% of consumers say they prefer to buy from brands that demonstrate a commitment to social and environmental responsibility
44% of employees in the service industry reported experiencing bias or discrimination at work
Companies with high ethnic and cultural diversity are 1.9 times more likely to innovate
The representation of women in leadership positions in the service industry has increased by only 10% in the past five years

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are transforming the service industry into a more innovative, profitable, and employee-friendly environment, as data shows companies embracing these principles outperform their competitors and foster higher engagement, satisfaction, and consumer loyalty.

Business Performance and Consumer Preferences

Companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors
Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry median
65% of consumers say they prefer to buy from brands that demonstrate a commitment to social and environmental responsibility
Companies with high ethnic and cultural diversity are 1.9 times more likely to innovate
60% of consumers feel companies should do more to promote diversity and inclusion
Almost 40% of companies report an increase in customer satisfaction after implementing diversity initiatives
53% of consumers prefer to support brands that are transparent about their DEI efforts
66% of organizations report that their DEI initiatives have led to increased innovation
69% of companies agree that diversity improves business performance
Nearly 60% of service organizations report increased revenue after implementing inclusive hiring practices

Business Performance and Consumer Preferences Interpretation

In a marketplace where consumers value authenticity and innovation, embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion not only fulfills social responsibility but undeniably boosts profits, performance, and reputation—proving that fairness isn't just good ethics, but savvy business strategy.

Employee Perceptions and Experiences

70% of employees believe diversity and inclusion are crucial for company success
A study found that 61% of employees feel more engaged at workplaces that promote diversity
78% of employees believe that their company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion influences their decision to stay
44% of employees in the service industry reported experiencing bias or discrimination at work
55% of employees in the service sector feel their work environment is less inclusive than they would like
46% of employees believe that their organization is making sufficient progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
72% of employees believe that diversity and inclusion initiatives have improved workplace culture
85% of employees who experience inclusive environments report higher job satisfaction
78% of minority employees have observed bias in the workplace
67% of women in the service industry have experienced gender discrimination or harassment
59% of employees believe that a diverse workforce helps meet customer needs better
42% of employees from underrepresented groups report feeling less connected to their colleagues
54% of employees believe their company could do more to support diverse backgrounds
A survey found that 86% of employees value workplace diversity
70% of employees feel more valued in inclusive work environments

Employee Perceptions and Experiences Interpretation

Despite overwhelming support for diversity and inclusion—ranging from 70% of employees viewing it as vital for success to 86% prioritizing workplace diversity—nearly half the service industry still grapples with bias and a less-than-inclusive climate, revealing that while the numbers favor change, the cultural shift remains an ongoing journey.

Representation in Leadership and Workforce

In the service industry, women hold approximately 45% of managerial positions globally
Only 20% of senior leadership roles in the hospitality sector are occupied by minorities
The representation of women in leadership positions in the service industry has increased by only 10% in the past five years
People of color are underrepresented in middle and senior management in the service industry at 25% compared to 40% of the workforce
Representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in leadership roles remains under 15% in the service industry
The gender pay gap in the service industry remains at approximately 15%
Minority entrepreneurs face a 30% higher hurdle in accessing capital within the service industry
Only 25% of middle management in the service industry is comprised of women of color
In the hospitality industry, only 11% of executive chef positions are held by women
In the service sector, ethnic minorities are underrepresented in leadership at just 18%
The median pay gap between men and women in the service industry is around 12%
Only 22% of service industry senior executives are women of color
81% of consumers prefer to buy from brands that demonstrate social responsibility including DEI

Representation in Leadership and Workforce Interpretation

Despite modest gains, the service industry's statistics reveal a stark reality: gender and racial disparities persist at every level, highlighting that true diversity, equity, and inclusion remain an aspirational goal rather than an industry standard—an inconvenient truth for a sector that serves a diverse world.

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

80% of job seekers consider workplace diversity an important factor in choosing an employer
58% of companies worldwide have some form of diversity training program
62% of organizations have set diversity goals for the next five years
52% of companies in the service industry say they have difficulty recruiting diverse talent
Only 30% of service industry companies have comprehensive DEI policies
50% of senior managers agree that their leadership is fully committed to DEI initiatives
Investment in DEI programs increased by 20% in the last year across the service sector
63% of companies conduct annual audits to assess diversity and inclusion progress
49% of service industry employees feel their managers are not adequately trained to handle issues of inclusion
82% of companies agree that fostering diversity and inclusion strengthens their company culture
72% of employees say they want their companies to do more to promote racial equity
58% of service organizations have implemented unconscious bias training programs
Service industry diversity initiatives have led to a 15% increase in employee retention
65% of global companies have dedicated DEI leadership roles
47% of companies have seen a positive impact on innovation from DEI initiatives
Approximately 65% of service organizations have Employee Resource Groups to support diverse communities

Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Interpretation

While over half of service industry giants are racing to set diversity goals and launch training programs, a significant gap remains—only 30% have comprehensive DEI policies—highlighting that the industry's race toward inclusivity is more marathon than sprint, with employees craving genuine commitment over superficial figures.