India Must Close the Women's Health Gap to Unlock Trillion-Dollar Economic Growth
WEF's CARE report shows closing women's health gaps could add $1 trillion to the global economy by 2040.
The World Economic Forum’s latest report titled ‘CARE: Closing the Women’s Health Gap’ highlights how improving women’s healthcare can play a crucial role in strengthening economies, particularly in countries like India. The report reframes the idea of “health is wealth” from an individual wellness concept into a broader economic necessity, arguing that national growth is closely tied to the health outcomes of women.
The report explains that for India to achieve its long-term development and economic goals, investments cannot be limited to infrastructure, manufacturing, or digital expansion alone. It emphasises that the health and well-being of women form a critical foundation for sustained economic progress. Without addressing systemic health gaps, overall productivity and growth potential remain constrained.
A key finding of the CARE report is the existence of a significant “women’s health gap". Globally, women spend around 25% more of their lives in poor health compared to men. The report attributes this disparity not only to biological differences but also to long-standing gaps in medical research, healthcare access, and data representation, which have led to inadequate attention to women-specific health needs.
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The economic implications of this gap are substantial. The report estimates that closing the women’s health gap could contribute nearly $1 trillion annually to the global economy by 2040. This potential gain is linked to improved productivity, reduced healthcare burdens, and increased participation of women in the workforce, particularly in developing economies such as India.
The report further highlights major health concerns affecting women, including iron-deficiency anaemia, reproductive health challenges, and rising non-communicable diseases. Addressing these issues, it notes, could unlock millions of productive workdays and significantly enhance female labour force participation, directly contributing to stronger economic performance at both national and global levels.
Overall, the CARE report concludes that investing in women’s health is not just a social or healthcare priority but also a strategic economic decision. It stresses that countries that prioritise closing the gender health gap will be better positioned to achieve sustainable growth and unlock long-term economic resilience.
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