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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female data was reported at 17.500 % in 2018. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 17.500 % from Jun 2018 (Median) to 2018, with 1 observations. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Statistics Office. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.GBA004: Periodic Labour Force Survey: Annual: Labour Force Participation Rate: Usual Status.

India Labour Force Participation: Per 1000 Persons: Current Weekly Status: Rural: Female data was reported at 215.000 Person in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 231.000 Person for 2010. India Labour Force Participation: Per 1000 Persons: Current Weekly Status: Rural: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 247.000 Person from Jun 1988 (Median) to 2012, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 287.000 Person in 2005 and a record low of 215.000 Person in 2012. India Labour Force Participation: Per 1000 Persons: Current Weekly Status: Rural: 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.GBA016: Employment and Unemployment Survey: Labour Force Participation.

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.

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.

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.