Female Labour Force Participation in India: The Post 2017 Turnaround

International Journal of Economics and Management Studies

© 2025 by SSRG - IJEMS Journal

Volume 12 Issue 9

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Arsh Pandey

10.14445/23939125/IJEMS-V12I9P108

How to Cite?

Arsh Pandey, "Female Labour Force Participation in India: The Post 2017 Turnaround," SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies, vol. 12,  no. 9, pp. 80-89, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939125/IJEMS-V12I9P108

Abstract:

Trends in the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in India have been inconsistent, ranging from constant declines in the early 2000s to rapid increases in the late 2010s. Using data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and National Sample Survey (NSS), this paper examined the reversal in female LFPR in India, highlighting the post-2017 rise in contrast to the preceding period marked by a consistent decline. Trend analysis and correlation analysis were applied to identify the possible factors and their relationship with female LFPR. The findings showed that between 2017–18 and 2023–24, male LFPR rose by 2.7%, while female LFPR grew much faster, increasing by 14.2%. Moreover, in 2017, female LFPR reversed its declining trend at 17.5% and began rising, reaching 31.7% by 2023-24. By examining the industry-specific data, the study found an agriculture-focused shift among women in India. Furthermore, by examining employment type and income, the majority of the increasing female LFPR can be attributed to economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced women into work. Subsequently, improved survey methodologies of the PLFS and multiple educational policies promoting working women contributed to this trend. Additionally, it was identified that most of the increase in female workers was in informal, unpaid, and self-employed roles. Therefore, these findings support the hypothesis that the increase in female LFPR results from economic compulsion rather than increased employment opportunities for women in India.

Keywords:

Female, LFPR, Policies, Education, COVID, Industries.

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