Model Diversity Statistics 2025
In 2025, conversations around diversity have grown louder in both the fashion and tech industries—but progress hasn’t always kept pace. On the runways, size and racial representation are seeing a troubling decline, despite brands once promising more inclusive casting.
Meanwhile, in the rapidly expanding AI sector, gaps in gender access and public trust highlight growing pains in a space reshaping the global workforce. These disparities reflect broader tensions between innovation and equity. As fashion continues to influence cultural standards and AI reshapes how we live and work, the stakes of exclusion are high.
This year’s statistics offer a snapshot of where the industries stand—and where they’re falling short. Understanding these numbers can help pinpoint where change is needed most and what the future might demand from both sectors.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 (Editor's Choice)
In 2025, the landscape of diversity within both the fashion and artificial intelligence (AI) industries has seen notable developments. Here are the top 10 diversity statistics highlighting these changes:
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Decline in Plus-Size Representation on Fashion Runways: During the Spring/Summer 2025 season, only 0.8% of the 8,763 runway looks featured plus-size models, a significant drop from previous years.
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Minimal Mid-Size Model Inclusion: Mid-size models accounted for just 4.3% of runway appearances in the same season, indicating a stagnation in size inclusivity within the fashion industry.
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Predominance of Straight-Size Models: A staggering 94.9% of runway looks were presented by straight-size models (US size 0-4), underscoring the industry's continued preference for thin body types.
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AI Workforce Growth: By the end of 2025, approximately 97 million people are projected to be employed in the AI sector, reflecting the rapid expansion of this field.
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AI Market Valuation Surge: The global AI market is valued at over $390 billion, with expectations of a fivefold increase over the next five years.
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Gender Disparity in AI Usage: In 2023, 11% of women reported experimenting with generative AI, compared to 20% of men. However, women's adoption rate is accelerating, with projections indicating parity by the end of 2025.
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Racial Diversity Plateau on Runways: Reports indicate that racial diversity among models has stagnated, with no significant increase in models of color participating in major fashion shows
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AI's Impact on Employment: AI is expected to replace 16% of jobs globally by 2025 while creating 9% of new roles, leading to a net 7% loss in jobs.
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Public Skepticism Towards AI: Approximately 61% of people express ambivalence or unwillingness to trust AI systems, highlighting the need for increased transparency and ethical considerations in AI development.
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AI's Environmental Impact: Training large AI models, such as BLOOM, emitted 25 times more carbon than a single air traveler on a one-way trip from New York to San Francisco, raising concerns about the sustainability of AI advancements.
These statistics underscore the ongoing challenges and progress in achieving diversity and inclusivity within the fashion and AI industries in 2025.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 and Future Implications
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #1. Plus-Size Representation on Runways
In Spring/Summer 2025, only 0.8% of runway looks featured plus-size models, a sharp decline from previous seasons. This suggests that fashion brands are regressing in size inclusivity, despite vocal consumer demand for broader representation. The near-erasure of larger bodies on high-profile platforms sends a disheartening message to audiences who once saw progress.
If the trend continues, brands risk alienating a large segment of consumers and losing cultural relevance. To maintain loyalty, future campaigns must reinvest in authentic, size-diverse casting beyond seasonal tokenism.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #2. Mid-Size Models Still Underrepresented
Mid-size models appeared in just 4.3% of Spring/Summer 2025 runway shows, signaling an industry still stuck in extremes. While mid-size representation grew modestly in recent years, it has not been sustained, indicating a failure to normalize these body types.
The lack of consistent visibility creates a distorted perception of what’s “average” or “aspirational.” Brands that champion the mid-size demographic in campaigns and fit models could tap into a huge, underrepresented customer base. Future success may hinge on how effectively labels bridge this inclusivity gap.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #3. Dominance of Straight-Size Models
An overwhelming 94.9% of runway appearances in 2025 came from straight-size models (US 0–4), reinforcing a narrow standard of beauty. Despite social media's push for body positivity and diverse storytelling, fashion’s elite circles have remained resistant.
This persistence of outdated ideals limits innovation in design, marketing, and consumer engagement. As Gen Z and Gen Alpha prioritize body neutrality and inclusivity, designers who ignore these expectations may find themselves left behind. To stay competitive, brands must confront systemic preferences in casting and sizing.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #4. AI Workforce Reaches 97 Million
By the end of 2025, the AI sector is expected to employ 97 million people worldwide. This dramatic expansion signals a structural change in the global job market, with AI roles becoming foundational across industries.
Countries investing in AI talent pipelines could gain economic leverage, while others risk being left behind. As automation displaces some traditional roles, retraining and upskilling will become essential tools for maintaining employment stability. The surge also raises questions about workplace diversity and inclusion in this rapidly scaling field.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #5. AI Market Valued at Over $390 Billion
The global AI market hit a valuation of $390 billion in 2025, with projections suggesting it could quintuple by 2030. This explosive growth indicates that AI is no longer experimental—it’s central to tech, finance, healthcare, and media. Companies unable to adopt AI may fall behind on productivity, personalization, and predictive analytics.
However, this growth must come with ethical safeguards, especially regarding algorithmic bias and data privacy. The next wave of AI innovation will likely demand tighter regulation and more inclusive development standards.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #6. Gender Gap in Generative AI Usage
In 2023, only 11% of women had experimented with generative AI, compared to 20% of men, though parity is projected by 2025’s end. This lag stems partly from accessibility, tech literacy gaps, and confidence in using emerging tools.
As more women enter the space, the narratives and applications created with AI could become more inclusive and reflective of diverse experiences. Future platforms that prioritize intuitive design and representation in training data could accelerate this trend. Closing the gender gap in AI usage will shape how ethical and useful these tools become for broader society.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #7. Racial Diversity Plateau on Runways
Despite early improvements, racial diversity in model casting has stalled in 2025, with shows heavily relying on white models. The plateau implies that past gains may have been surface-level responses to social pressure rather than systemic changes.
Lack of racial representation also limits storytelling, especially for global brands catering to multicultural markets. Consumers increasingly expect brands to reflect real-world diversity, not just in campaigns but in leadership and creative direction. If fashion fails to evolve, newer, more inclusive labels may eclipse legacy names.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #8. AI-Driven Job Loss and Creation
AI is forecast to replace 16% of jobs globally by 2025, while generating just 9% in new roles, leading to a net 7% job loss. This imbalance reveals how technological progress can be uneven, with certain sectors—especially manual and administrative—more vulnerable to automation.
Policymakers and companies must act quickly to support displaced workers through retraining and economic support. At the same time, the emergence of AI-focused careers offers a roadmap for the future of work. Long-term success will depend on how equitably these new opportunities are distributed.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #9. Public Skepticism Toward AI Systems
Roughly 61% of people are unsure or unwilling to trust AI, highlighting a persistent barrier to mass adoption. This skepticism is fueled by concerns around misinformation, bias, and transparency in AI systems.
If these issues remain unaddressed, they could stall innovation or lead to regulatory crackdowns that slow the industry. Future platforms must prioritize explainability, user control, and ethical frameworks to rebuild trust. Earning public confidence may be just as important as technical accuracy in AI’s next phase.
Model Diversity Statistics 2025 #10. Environmental Costs of AI Model Training
Training one large language model, BLOOM, generated 25 times more carbon than a one-way flight from New York to San Francisco. As AI usage explodes, its environmental toll is becoming harder to ignore. Companies racing to outdo each other with larger models may inadvertently create a climate liability.
Green AI—focused on energy efficiency and carbon offsets—will likely become a central concern in future development. Transparent reporting of environmental impact could become a new standard for responsible innovation.
Looking Ahead: Inclusion as a Metric of Progress
The numbers from 2025 tell a clear story—representation is still selective, whether on the runway or in AI labs. Despite global attention on diversity, some of the most influential industries continue to overlook large swaths of people, reinforcing outdated norms and missing out on meaningful innovation.
If fashion wants to remain culturally relevant, it must move beyond symbolic gestures and build inclusivity into every layer of the creative process. In tech, addressing bias, gender gaps, and environmental costs isn’t optional—it’s a prerequisite for building tools the public can actually trust.
Progress won't come from isolated efforts but from sustained, industry-wide accountability. The future will belong to brands and platforms that see inclusion not as a campaign theme, but as a non-negotiable foundation.
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