Labor force, total in India was reported at 607691498 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Labor force, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2023, 43.51 percent of the workforce in India were employed in agriculture, while the other half was almost evenly distributed among the two other sectors, industry and services. While the share of Indians working in agriculture is declining, it is still the main sector of employment. A BRIC powerhouseTogether with Brazil, Russia, and China, India makes up the four so-called BRIC countries. They are the four fastest-growing emerging countries dubbed BRIC, an acronym, by Jim O’Neill at Goldman Sachs. Being major economies themselves already, these four countries are said to be at a similar economic developmental stage -- on the verge of becoming industrialized countries -- and maybe even dominating the global economy. Together, they are already larger than the rest of the world when it comes to GDP and simple population figures. Among these four, India is ranked second across almost all key indicators, right behind China. Services on the riseWhile most of the Indian workforce is still employed in the agricultural sector, it is the services sector that generates most of the country’s GDP. In fact, when looking at GDP distribution across economic sectors, agriculture lags behind with a mere 15 percent contribution. Some of the leading services industries are telecommunications, software, textiles, and chemicals, and production only seems to increase – currently, the GDP in India is growing, as is employment.

Labor Force Participation Rate in India remained unchanged at 50.40 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 50.40 percent in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - India Labor Force Participation Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

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.

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.

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.

Graph and download economic data for Employment to Population Ratio for India (SLEMPTOTLSPZSIND) from 1991 to 2024 about employment-population ratio, India, employment, and population.

The PLFS survey 2023-24 estimated that the labor force participation rate (LFPR) in urban areas increased to over ** percent, higher than the previous year but still lower than in the rural areas. Labor force participation across the country stood at just over ** percent.

Labor force with advanced education (% of total working-age population with advanced education) in India was reported at 65.27 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Labor force with advanced education (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Labor force with basic education (% of total working-age population with basic education) in India was reported at 55.94 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Labor force with basic education (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

India IN: Employment Index data was reported at 100.000 2010=100 in 2010. This records an increase from the previous number of 99.387 2010=100 for 2005. India IN: Employment Index data is updated yearly, averaging 7.291 2010=100 from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2010, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 100.000 2010=100 in 2010 and a record low of 6.567 2010=100 in 1985. India IN: Employment Index data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

India Employment: Private Sector: 25 or More Workers data was reported at 10,721.000 Person th in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 10,273.000 Person th for 2011. India Employment: Private Sector: 25 or More Workers data is updated yearly, averaging 7,489.100 Person th from Mar 1984 (Median) to 2012, with 29 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,721.000 Person th in 2012 and a record low of 6,479.000 Person th in 1985. India Employment: Private Sector: 25 or More Workers data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.GBA001: Employment.

The dataset contains the estimated gig workforce in India and their share of the total workforce as per NITI Aayog's Study Report - India's Booming Gig and Platform Economy.

Employment Rate in India remained unchanged at 47.20 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 47.20 percent in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - India Worker Population Ratio- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Over *** million people were estimated to be employed in India in the financial year 2023, around a three percent increase from the previous year. The employed workforce was estimated to grow to over *** million in the financial year 2024. Agriculture accounts for the highest share of the workforce in the country, followed by the services sector.

Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (%) (national estimate) in India was reported at 44.67 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, male (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The Indian male labor force in general was in a state of steady growth during the presented timeframe. The dominant category is men between the age of 25 to 54, which has increased to 277 million in 2021. All categories saw visible inclrease. Labor force includes persons of working age who are actively engaged in the labor market. It is the sum of persons employed and the unemployed.

India Labour Force Participation: Per 1000 Persons: Current Weekly Status: Urban: Male data was reported at 561.000 Person in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 556.000 Person for 2010. India Labour Force Participation: Per 1000 Persons: Current Weekly Status: Urban: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 547.500 Person from Jun 1988 (Median) to 2012, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 566.000 Person in 2005 and a record low of 529.000 Person in 1988. India Labour Force Participation: Per 1000 Persons: Current Weekly Status: Urban: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Sample Survey Organisation. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Labour Market – Table IN.GBA016: Employment and Unemployment Survey: Labour Force Participation.

India's agriculture sector was the leading industry in terms of employment in the financial year 2023 with the number of employees tallying over *** million. Meanwhile, the mining industry recorded almost *** million employees. The services sector is the next big sector in India after agriculture. Challenges facing the agriculture sector Agriculture is the mainstay of India’s workforce. It employs over 42 percent of India’s population. However, it is the lowest contributor to the country’s GDP when compared to other major sectors. Despite being one of the largest producers of crops in the world, agricultural productivity remains low. Key issues impacting productivity include the decreasing size of landholdings, dependence on monsoons, inadequate access to irrigation, lack of access to credit and finance for marginal farmers, inadequate agricultural infrastructure, vulnerability to market volatility, and climate change, among others. Service sector: Key GDP contributor The service sector contributes a lion’s share to India’s GDP. Driven by investments and a skilled workforce, India has now positioned itself on the global stage for services. Information technology, financial services, and communications are the key performing subsectors within the service industry. However, the rising labor productivity in the sector has reduced the demand for labor. This gap in output and employment parallels the disproportionately larger share of the service sector in GDP than employment.

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.