Periodic Labour Force Survey

Women’s workforce participation increases, but employment quality remains skewed toward unpaid or low-value work. The issue is currently relevant due to gaps in secure and productive employment for women.

Women’s Labour Force Participation:

Dimension	Key Details
LFPR Definition	Labour Force Participation Rate measures the percentage of the working-age population aged 15 years and above in India’s Periodic Labour Force Survey that is either employed or unemployed.
Economic Indicator	LFPR indicates how much of the population is engaged in the labour market.
Overall LFPR	The overall Labour Force Participation Rate is 60.1%.
Male LFPR	Male LFPR remains far higher, leaving a 60% gap in women’s presence in the job market.
Female LFPR	Female LFPR has risen to 40% in 2025, driven mainly by rural areas.
Nature of Work	The rise reflects informal or distress-driven work rather than quality employment.
Unpaid Helper Roles	Women are concentrated in family-based agriculture or enterprises.
Self-Employment	Self-employment dominates due to limited access to regular salaried jobs, especially in rural areas.
Urban Exclusion	Urban women face higher barriers to paid work despite education gains.
Domestic Burden	The share of women in unpaid domestic duties remains high at 37.4%.
Policy Interventions	Policy interventions comprise strengthening Mahila Shakti Kendras and expanding crèches under the National Creche Scheme.
Skill Development	Skill development focuses on training in the digital economy, green jobs, and entrepreneurship.
Infrastructure	Infrastructure measures comprise safe transport, workplace childcare, and flexible work arrangements.
Legal Measures	Legal measures comprise equal pay enforcement, expanded maternity and paternity leave, and incentives for women’s hiring in the formal sector.
Social Change	Social change comprises awareness campaigns to reduce unpaid domestic burden and redistribute household work.