It is the six most populous country in the world. The growth rate of females is higher than males constituting 48.8 percent of the total population. However, gender inequality has kept the country’s human capital from reaching its potential. Stark disparity is demonstrated in female literacy, female labour force participation, and female financial inclusion among other socioeconomic indictors on women.

It is ahead of Iraq and Yemen only, with significantly limited economic opportunities for women. Despite improvement over time, only half of the female population is literate, compared with 72.5 percent of male, with the share of females enrolled in the education system lower than the share of males across primary, secondary and
tertiary education.