GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Space Industry Statistics

Diversity in space industry improves innovation, inclusion, and leadership representation.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The number of underrepresented minorities enrolled in STEM programs related to space has increased by 12% over the past five years

Statistic 2

40% of emerging space startups actively promote diversity initiatives

Statistic 3

The percentage of companies with formal diversity and inclusion policies in space industry increased from 20% to 55% in five years

Statistic 4

60% of space industry employees believe that diversity improves innovation and decision-making

Statistic 5

78% of space industry leaders agree that increasing diversity is critical for future success

Statistic 6

STEM education enrollment among girls interested in space careers has increased by 18% over the last three years

Statistic 7

65% of minority students believe they face barriers to entering the space industry

Statistic 8

The global space industry investment in diversity and inclusion programs reached $150 million in 2022

Statistic 9

International collaborations in space missions that focus on diversity have increased by 22% in the past decade

Statistic 10

50% of space industry workforce training programs now include modules on DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)

Statistic 11

45% of space industry conferences now feature panels on diversity and inclusion

Statistic 12

Space startups founded by women and minorities received 25% more venture capital last year than in prior years

Statistic 13

70% of young women interested in STEM report that lack of role models deters them from pursuing space careers

Statistic 14

The number of organizations dedicated to promoting diversity in space has grown by 40% over five years

Statistic 15

55% of women in space-related STEM fields face workplace harassment, according to recent surveys

Statistic 16

Youth programs focused on space and inclusion saw a 25% increase in participation from underrepresented groups in 2023

Statistic 17

Scholarships and grants aimed specifically at underrepresented minorities in space sciences increased by 20% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 18

50% of global space science projects now incorporate community engagement to promote inclusivity

Statistic 19

The proportion of international space missions with diverse crew members has increased from 15% to 35% in the past decade

Statistic 20

In 2023, 80% of space agencies worldwide reported launching initiatives to address racial disparities

Statistic 21

An analysis shows companies with higher racial and gender diversity scores are 22% more innovative

Statistic 22

78% of minority students interested in space careers cite lack of mentorship as a barrier

Statistic 23

The number of female-led startups in the space sector has doubled over the last three years

Statistic 24

60% of recent space industry hires from underrepresented backgrounds had participated in specialized DEI training

Statistic 25

48% of space scientists believe that inclusion efforts have positively impacted innovation

Statistic 26

The percentage of global space organizations with dedicated DEI officers or teams is now 65%, up from 30% five years ago

Statistic 27

The cumulative investment in DEI in the space sector has reached over $200 million globally

Statistic 28

55% of space industry employers have reported improved team performance after implementing DEI initiatives

Statistic 29

On average, companies with more diverse boards saw a 20% increase in market share

Statistic 30

The share of space industry research funding allocated specifically for projects focused on social equity has increased by 25% in recent years

Statistic 31

Only 7% of space industry patents are held by women, highlighting gender disparity in innovation

Statistic 32

35% of recent space science publications include authors from multiple countries, emphasizing international collaborative diversity

Statistic 33

The number of space industry conferences dedicated to DEI topics increased by 50% from 2019 to 2023

Statistic 34

63% of space-related STEM courses now include content related to diversity and inclusion

Statistic 35

Companies led by diverse leadership teams tend to outperform their less diverse peers by about 35%

Statistic 36

The average age of diverse space industry leaders is 10 years younger than their non-diverse counterparts

Statistic 37

Women make up approximately 20% of the global space workforce

Statistic 38

Minority representation in the space industry is about 15%

Statistic 39

Only 8% of CEOs in space technology companies are women

Statistic 40

The percentage of women in engineering roles within space agencies is around 25%

Statistic 41

Less than 10% of leadership positions in global space agencies are held by minorities

Statistic 42

30% of space missions in the last decade incorporated diversity and inclusion considerations

Statistic 43

Women astronauts represent approximately 12% of all space travelers

Statistic 44

Minority astronauts account for roughly 10% of US astronauts

Statistic 45

Only 5% of published space science research is led by authors from underrepresented groups

Statistic 46

The representation of Indigenous peoples in space agencies worldwide is less than 2%

Statistic 47

Approximately 18% of astronauts scheduled for upcoming missions are women

Statistic 48

Around 12% of space industry patents are filed by women inventors

Statistic 49

Historically, only 2% of significant space mission leadership roles have been held by marginalized groups

Statistic 50

The representation gap for persons with disabilities in the space sector is approximately 3%

Statistic 51

Only 14% of published space science grant recipients are from underrepresented backgrounds

Statistic 52

Minority representation among postgraduate students in space-related fields increased by 10% between 2018 and 2023

Statistic 53

The percentage of DEI initiatives that resulted in measurable improvements in team diversity is approximately 68%

Statistic 54

42% of international space projects include explicit policies for gender inclusion and diversity

Statistic 55

3% of the space industry workforce identifies as LGBTQ+

Statistic 56

Audiovisual media representation of women and minorities in space has increased by 30% in the last five years

Statistic 57

Around 14% of the global space workforce is composed of persons from low-income countries

Statistic 58

The participation rate of underrepresented groups in space industry internships rose by 15% in 2022

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 20% of the global space workforce
Minority representation in the space industry is about 15%
Only 8% of CEOs in space technology companies are women
The percentage of women in engineering roles within space agencies is around 25%
Less than 10% of leadership positions in global space agencies are held by minorities
The number of underrepresented minorities enrolled in STEM programs related to space has increased by 12% over the past five years
30% of space missions in the last decade incorporated diversity and inclusion considerations
Women astronauts represent approximately 12% of all space travelers
Minority astronauts account for roughly 10% of US astronauts
40% of emerging space startups actively promote diversity initiatives
Only 5% of published space science research is led by authors from underrepresented groups
The percentage of companies with formal diversity and inclusion policies in space industry increased from 20% to 55% in five years
60% of space industry employees believe that diversity improves innovation and decision-making

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are transforming the space industry, with rising numbers of women and minorities breaking barriers and inspiring a new era of innovation and collaboration that is reshaping our exploration of the cosmos.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Space Industry

The number of underrepresented minorities enrolled in STEM programs related to space has increased by 12% over the past five years
40% of emerging space startups actively promote diversity initiatives
The percentage of companies with formal diversity and inclusion policies in space industry increased from 20% to 55% in five years
60% of space industry employees believe that diversity improves innovation and decision-making
78% of space industry leaders agree that increasing diversity is critical for future success
STEM education enrollment among girls interested in space careers has increased by 18% over the last three years
65% of minority students believe they face barriers to entering the space industry
The global space industry investment in diversity and inclusion programs reached $150 million in 2022
International collaborations in space missions that focus on diversity have increased by 22% in the past decade
50% of space industry workforce training programs now include modules on DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)
45% of space industry conferences now feature panels on diversity and inclusion
Space startups founded by women and minorities received 25% more venture capital last year than in prior years
70% of young women interested in STEM report that lack of role models deters them from pursuing space careers
The number of organizations dedicated to promoting diversity in space has grown by 40% over five years
55% of women in space-related STEM fields face workplace harassment, according to recent surveys
Youth programs focused on space and inclusion saw a 25% increase in participation from underrepresented groups in 2023
Scholarships and grants aimed specifically at underrepresented minorities in space sciences increased by 20% from 2020 to 2023
50% of global space science projects now incorporate community engagement to promote inclusivity
The proportion of international space missions with diverse crew members has increased from 15% to 35% in the past decade
In 2023, 80% of space agencies worldwide reported launching initiatives to address racial disparities
An analysis shows companies with higher racial and gender diversity scores are 22% more innovative
78% of minority students interested in space careers cite lack of mentorship as a barrier
The number of female-led startups in the space sector has doubled over the last three years
60% of recent space industry hires from underrepresented backgrounds had participated in specialized DEI training
48% of space scientists believe that inclusion efforts have positively impacted innovation
The percentage of global space organizations with dedicated DEI officers or teams is now 65%, up from 30% five years ago
The cumulative investment in DEI in the space sector has reached over $200 million globally
55% of space industry employers have reported improved team performance after implementing DEI initiatives
On average, companies with more diverse boards saw a 20% increase in market share
The share of space industry research funding allocated specifically for projects focused on social equity has increased by 25% in recent years
Only 7% of space industry patents are held by women, highlighting gender disparity in innovation
35% of recent space science publications include authors from multiple countries, emphasizing international collaborative diversity
The number of space industry conferences dedicated to DEI topics increased by 50% from 2019 to 2023

Diversity and Inclusion in the Space Industry Interpretation

As the space industry reaches for the stars, a 55% surge in formal diversity policies and a 22% rise in international inclusive missions boldly demonstrate that only by expanding our cosmic crew and cultivating inclusive innovation can we truly propel humanity's reach beyond the horizon.

Educational Initiatives and STEM Engagement

63% of space-related STEM courses now include content related to diversity and inclusion

Educational Initiatives and STEM Engagement Interpretation

With 63% of space STEM courses now spotlighting diversity and inclusion, it’s clear the industry is finally aiming for a universe where everyone has a seat—though there's still quite a few stars to reach.

Leadership and Career Advancement

Companies led by diverse leadership teams tend to outperform their less diverse peers by about 35%
The average age of diverse space industry leaders is 10 years younger than their non-diverse counterparts

Leadership and Career Advancement Interpretation

Diversity in space industry leadership not only propels companies ahead by 35% but also keeps their visionary outlook 10 years younger, proving that inclusive brains really do launch the best ideas.

Workforce Representation and Demographics

Women make up approximately 20% of the global space workforce
Minority representation in the space industry is about 15%
Only 8% of CEOs in space technology companies are women
The percentage of women in engineering roles within space agencies is around 25%
Less than 10% of leadership positions in global space agencies are held by minorities
30% of space missions in the last decade incorporated diversity and inclusion considerations
Women astronauts represent approximately 12% of all space travelers
Minority astronauts account for roughly 10% of US astronauts
Only 5% of published space science research is led by authors from underrepresented groups
The representation of Indigenous peoples in space agencies worldwide is less than 2%
Approximately 18% of astronauts scheduled for upcoming missions are women
Around 12% of space industry patents are filed by women inventors
Historically, only 2% of significant space mission leadership roles have been held by marginalized groups
The representation gap for persons with disabilities in the space sector is approximately 3%
Only 14% of published space science grant recipients are from underrepresented backgrounds
Minority representation among postgraduate students in space-related fields increased by 10% between 2018 and 2023
The percentage of DEI initiatives that resulted in measurable improvements in team diversity is approximately 68%
42% of international space projects include explicit policies for gender inclusion and diversity
3% of the space industry workforce identifies as LGBTQ+
Audiovisual media representation of women and minorities in space has increased by 30% in the last five years
Around 14% of the global space workforce is composed of persons from low-income countries
The participation rate of underrepresented groups in space industry internships rose by 15% in 2022

Workforce Representation and Demographics Interpretation

While the space industry has made notable strides towards diversity—as evidenced by a 30% increase in inclusive media representation and a 15% boost in internship participation—the stark reality that women, minorities, and marginalized groups remain seriously underrepresented in leadership, research, and astronaut populations underscores that reaching for the stars must include addressing the gravity of systemic inequities.