Women’s Labour Force Participation Ratio (LFPR) in India: A Downturn

• The Union government’s statement shows a 35% increase in women’s LFPR from 2017-18 to 2023-24.

• 84% of this increase is attributed to self-employed women, many of whom are engaged in unpaid family work.

• Women entering the workforce as salaried workers or self-employed are earning less than they did six years ago.

• The increase is primarily driven by rural women, whose entry into the labour force is driven by “economic distress.”

• Unpaid family work by rural and urban women has risen from 31.7% to 36.7%.

• The real average monthly wage of self-employed women plummeted by 35% and the real wage of salaried female workers fell by 7%.