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.

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.

Actual value and historical data chart for India Ratio Of Female To Male Labor Force Participation Rate Percent National Estimate

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.

Actual value and historical data chart for India Labor Participation Rate Female Percent Of Female Population Ages 15 Plus

The employment rate of urban Indian women was about *** percent in February 2021. With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown across the country, employment rate among urban women took a hit from over ***** percent in March 2020 to **** percent the following month, fluctuating constantly through the pandemic.

Unemployment Rate: India's unemployment rate has been a significant concern, with fluctuations over the years. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, the unemployment rate was around 6-7%.

Rural-Urban Disparities: Unemployment is often higher in rural areas compared to urban areas, where there are more employment opportunities.

Youth Unemployment: India has a significant issue of youth unemployment. A large portion of the population is under the age of 30, and providing employment opportunities for this demographic is a challenge.

Underemployment: Many individuals in India are also affected by underemployment, where they are employed in jobs that are below their skill levels and pay less than their qualifications.

Informal Sector: A substantial portion of India's workforce is engaged in the informal sector, which lacks job security and social benefits.

Gender Disparities: There are notable gender disparities in unemployment rates, with women often facing higher rates of unemployment compared to men.

Education and Unemployment: Higher education levels do not always guarantee employment in India, leading to a mismatch between skills and job opportunities.

Government Initiatives: The Indian government has launched various schemes and initiatives to address unemployment, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Skill India program.

COVID-19 Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on employment, leading to job losses and economic challenges.

Actual value and historical data chart for India Labor Force Participation Rate For Ages 15 24 Female Percent Modeled Ilo Estimate

Yearly (annual) dataset of the India Female Labor Force Rate, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 1990-12-31 to 2024-12-31. Available for free download in CSV format.

The Indian female labor force in general was in a state of steady growth during the presented timeframe. The dominant category is women between the age of 25 to 54, which has increased to 86.18 million in 2021. All categories saw visible increases. The 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.

Actual value and historical data chart for India Labor Force Participation Rate Female Percent Of Female Population Ages 15 National Estimate

India Part Time Employment: % of Total Employment data was reported at 23.990 % in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 20.850 % for 2022. India Part Time Employment: % of Total Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 18.080 % from Dec 2018 (Median) to 2023, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.990 % in 2023 and a record low of 14.440 % in 2019. India Part Time Employment: % of Total 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.

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.

Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (%) (national estimate) in India was reported at 16.9 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24, female (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in India was reported at 4.376 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Unemployment, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

The unemployment rate among women as a share of the total female labor force in India in 2022 was over *** percent as compared to over ***** percent unemployment among males as a share of total male labor force. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region shows wide variation in estimated female labor force participation rates (LFPR) among women aged between 15 and 64 years for 2024. North Korea had the highest estimated LFPR in APAC, at about ** percent. Countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Singapore had some of the highest female LFPR in the region, while South Asian countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and India had some of the lowest shares of women in the labor force. This stark contrast highlights the diverse economic and social landscapes across the region, reflecting varying levels of gender equality and women's empowerment. More opportunities for women? With growing emphasis on gender equality, women across the Asia-Pacific region have gained greater access to education and professional opportunities. Notably, in 2022, many countries across the region had a higher female to male ratio in tertiary education. However, gender inequality in access to opportunities persists, as the proportion of young women not in education, employment, or training (NEET) is significantly higher than the overall youth NEET rate across APAC countries. This disparity is especially pronounced in South Asia, where deep-rooted cultural, social, and economic barriers continue to limit women’s full participation in the workforce. Women in positions of power Despite efforts to advance gender equality, women are still underrepresented in decision-making positions in many governments across the Asia-Pacific region. As such, there was a much lower female representation in ministerial level positions in most APAC countries, compared to that of men. However, New Zealand and Australia stand out for exhibiting a more balanced gender representation in political leadership.

India Unemployment: Per 1000 Persons: Current Daily Status: Urban: Female data was reported at 80.000 Person in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 91.000 Person for 2010. India Unemployment: Per 1000 Persons: Current Daily Status: Urban: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 107.000 Person from Jun 1978 (Median) to 2012, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 145.000 Person in 1978 and a record low of 80.000 Person in 2012. India Unemployment: Per 1000 Persons: Current Daily Status: Urban: Female 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.GBA019: Employment and Unemployment Survey: Unemployment.

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.

In rural India, close to 1.8 percent of females and more than two percent of males were unemployed, while the unemployment rate was higher in urban India. Urban women had a higher unemployment rate than rural women in the country.