7 in 8 Companies Are Continuing DEI Efforts in 2025

DEI is the term on everybody’s tongue. Anytime you turn on the television, DEI is being debated, discussed, and dissected, with some claims that DEI is dead or rather, on its way to a slow death. DEI is a field that was birthed out of the Civil Rights Movement, when many organizations and institutions were looking for guidance to comply with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and ensure they were avoiding discrimination and thus litigation. Today, DEI has become public enemy number one, being blamed for an absurd amount of catastrophes from the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore to the recent plane crash at Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport.

Is DEI Really Dying?

If one were to only listen to and read narratives from the media, it is easy to be convinced about DEI’s imminent demise. But according to a 2024 study from Scientific Reports, “Americans across many different demographic categories vastly underestimate their fellow Americans’ support for diversity and inclusion.” The media plays a critical role in shaping the public’s perception and understanding of DEI and can contribute to misconceptions and misinformation about DEI. Because DEI has become such a contentious and controversial issue, media headlines that are scandalous and attention-grabbing garner more publicity. These hyperbolic stories are regurgitated and repeated, creating the illusion that DEI is disintegrating when in actuality, it is far more nuanced.

The Reality: 87% of Companies Are Maintaining or Increasing Their DEI Budgets

A 2025 study from Resume.org with the headline “1 in 8 companies Are Scaling Back DEI Commitments in 2025, Many Cite Political Climate” may lead readers to believe that DEI is on its way to the grave. When you unpack what the researchers determined, the data tells a different story. While the headlines focus on the small fraction of companies scaling back their DEI efforts, the real takeaway is that 87% of companies are either maintaining or increasing their DEI budgets. 65% of companies surveyed said they will keep their DEI budget the same and 22% plan to increase their budget, yet misleading headlines want to push the false narrative that DEI is dying.

Companies Are Not Deterred by the Backlash

The results from the aforementioned Resume.org study echo the results of a November 2024 LinkedIn poll, which revealed that 46% of respondents were planning to increase their DEI efforts and 33% were planning on keeping DEI efforts the same. The media has the power to propel the propaganda and are playing an active role in perpetuating misinformation. The responsibility then falls on those who believe in equity and justice to disprove the lies, dispel myths, and dispense accurate information about DEI. Beyond the salacious headlines, the data tells us that most companies are not deterred by the current DEI backlash.

Why Companies Are Not Abandoning DEI

There are several reasons why companies aren’t doing away with DEI. Despite DEI’s imperfections, many recognize its utility. Corporations recognize that younger generations of consumers are drawn to companies that embody inclusive and equitable values. Workplaces that develop initiatives and interventions designed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion will be better equipped to retain employees and remain sustainable in the future. In an ideal world, companies would prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice because it’s the right thing to do to create environments where every employee feels supported, valued, and can thrive. But in a capitalist society, profit drives decision-making. At the end of the day, companies recognize that despite claims of “go woke, go broke,” DEI is good for business.

The Need for Transformation in the DEI Field

Like any other field, DEI has its share of snake oil salespeople—folks with very little understanding or expertise in developing diversity, equity and inclusion solutions but because of their background, identity, or other factors, they entered the DEI space and were able to gain prestige and profit without providing any real or tangible solutions. This moment of heightened scrutiny, in many ways, is actually a good thing. The DEI opposition will drive much-needed transformation in a field that has strayed from its original goals and purpose. It is the job of those equipped with the truth to challenge the misinformation. While the terminology of DEI will continue to change, the core mission of DEI remains the same: ensuring that workplaces are sites that foster fairness, growth, opportunity, and development for all.

Conclusion

The data is clear: 87% of companies are maintaining or increasing their DEI budgets, and the majority of companies are not deterred by the current DEI backlash. It is crucial for those who believe in equity and justice to disprove the lies, dispel myths, and dispense accurate information about DEI. The media has a responsibility to shape the public’s perception and understanding of DEI, and it is up to us to challenge the misinformation and promote a more nuanced understanding of this critical field.

FAQs

• What is DEI?
  DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Is DEI really dying?
  No, despite some claims, DEI is not dying. In fact, 87% of companies are maintaining or increasing their DEI budgets.
• Why are companies not abandoning DEI?
  Companies recognize that DEI is good for business, and it is a key factor in retaining employees and remaining sustainable in the future.
• What is the core mission of DEI?
  The core mission of DEI is to ensure that workplaces are sites that foster fairness, growth, opportunity, and development for all.