The female labor force participation rate in India increased by *** percentage points (*************) in 2024. While the growth is slowing down, with 32.8 percent, the rate is at its peak in the observed period. Female labor force participation is the share of women over 15 years who are economically active. For example, all women providing labor in a specific period for the production of goods and services.

As per a survey conducted across the country among students, the participation at work for men in India was expected to be ** percent in 2024, a decrease from the participation rate in 2023. A fluctuating trend emerged in the participation rate of this segment of India's workforce since 2016. Meanwhile, the participation at work for women in the organized sector increased from ** percent in 2023 to ** percent in 2024 but still a wide gender gap persists.

Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) (national estimate) in India was reported at 45.92 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in India was reported at 28.69 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In a survey conducted between July 2023 and June 2024, the rate of labor participation for the urban male population was over ** percent compared to the over ** percent rate among females. The rate of labor participation in rural areas was lower across genders.

Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) (modeled ILO estimate) in India was reported at 32.8 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Labor participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15+) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

India Part Time Employment: Female: % of Total Female Employment data was reported at 45.940 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 40.690 % for 2022. India Part Time Employment: Female: % of Total Female Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 34.060 % from Dec 2018 (Median) to 2023, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 45.940 % in 2023 and a record low of 28.100 % in 2019. India Part Time Employment: Female: % of Total Female Employment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Part time employment refers to regular employment in which working time is substantially less than normal. Definitions of part time employment differ by country.;International Labour Organization. “Wages and Working Time Statistics database (COND)” ILOSTAT. Accessed January 07, 2025. https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/.;Weighted average;Relevance to gender indicator: More and more women are working part-time and one of the concern is that part time work does not provide the stability that full time work does.

The share of employable women in India in 2025 saw a decrease from the previous year. Men accounted for about ** percent of employability that year. In fact, a larger share of women than men have constituted India’s employable talent since 2020 until a drop in 2025. Employability refers to a person's ability to gain and maintain employment. India’s professional talent pool Indian corporations and employers found a rich supply of highly employable graduates in states such as Maharashtra and Delhi. The demand for professionals with a year or more of working experience outweighed that of graduates without experience, thus, driving up the preference for internships. Some of the most employable candidates in 2024 were graduates with degrees in engineering, business administration and computer applications. Employability does not translate to employment However, higher employability did not translate to employment as was indicated by the country’s youth unemployment rate. Gender gap in participation at work has also persisted over the years. In addition to skill training, more jobs need to be created to absorb the growing unemployed and underemployed youth.

India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Youth Adults: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 36.770 % in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 37.493 % for 2023. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Youth Adults: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 31.211 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2024, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 38.940 % in 2001 and a record low of 22.039 % in 2018. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Youth Adults: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

Key information about India Labour Force Participation Rate

• India Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 45.1 % in Dec 2024, compared with 42.4 % in the previous year.
• India Labour Force Participation Rate is updated yearly, available from Dec 1990 to Dec 2024, with an average rate of 57.4 % .
• The data reached the an all-time high of 60.1 % in Dec 2000 and a record low of 36.9 % in Dec 2018.
• India Labour Force Participation Rate is reported by reported by CEIC Data.
• In the latest reports, India Population reached 1,408.0 million people in Mar 2025.
• Unemployment Rate of India increased to 7.1 % in Dec 2020.

Employment in industry, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in India was reported at 16.01 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Employees, industry, female (% of female employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The average for 2023 based on 178 countries was 51.07 percent. The highest value was in the Solomon Islands: 82.73 percent and the lowest value was in Afghanistan: 4.83 percent. The indicator is available from 1991 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Aggregate Bands: Total Age data was reported at 34.389 % in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 35.084 % for 2023. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Aggregate Bands: Total Age data is updated yearly, averaging 30.694 % from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2024, with 15 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.710 % in 2001 and a record low of 20.746 % in 2018. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Aggregate Bands: Total Age data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

Employment in services, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in India was reported at 22.5 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Employees, services, female (% of female employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

From January to April 2023, the total labor force of Rajasthan comprised 27.4 million people, of which 25.7 million were males and 1.7 million were female. The state presents a stark gender gap in labor participation, with females accounting for merely 6.3 percent of the labor force.

Worker Population Ratio: Usual Status: Education: Bihar: Female data was reported at 30.100 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 22.000 % for 2023. Worker Population Ratio: Usual Status: Education: Bihar: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 9.900 % from Jun 2018 (Median) to 2024, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.100 % in 2024 and a record low of 4.000 % in 2018. Worker Population Ratio: Usual Status: Education: Bihar: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table IN.GBA026: Periodic Labour Force Survey: Annual: Worker Population Ratio: Usual Status: by State: Education Level.

In a survey conducted during the financial year 2022, it was found that women who are part of key managerial personnel are paid roughly half the amount of their male counterparts. The gender wage gap widens as women move higher up the career ladder.

Vulnerable employment, female (% of female employment) (modeled ILO estimate) in India was reported at 79.57 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Vulnerable employment, female (% of female employment) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: 5-Year Bands: Aged 45-49 data was reported at 51.802 % in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 52.339 % for 2023. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: 5-Year Bands: Aged 45-49 data is updated yearly, averaging 39.239 % from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2024, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 52.339 % in 2023 and a record low of 30.375 % in 2018. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: 5-Year Bands: Aged 45-49 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

Labour Force Participation Rate in India - values from PLFS and UNDP for male, female, rural, urban, state-wise, and comparison with global peers.