New Delhi: According to Government data, Women’s engagement in economic activity in India has enhanced over the last six years, accompanied by a declining unemployment rate and an upward trend of educated women in the workforce, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday.
The Ministry’s figures also reveal a steady increase in women’s earnings across employment categories, a testament to the growing recognition of women’s contributions to the economy. Furthermore, there has been a significant surge in female labour force participation in rural areas, driven by increased engagement in economic activities.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the Ministry of Statistics shows that overall, Indian labour market indicators have improved in the last six years. This is reflected in the Worker Population Ratio (WPR), which is defined as the percentage of employed persons in the population. The increase from 46.8 percent in 2017-18 to 58.2 percent in 2023-24 is a significant leap, indicating a substantial increase in employment opportunities and a healthier job market.
The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) rose significantly from 49.8 per cent to 60.1 per cent during the same period. This increase is not just a statistic, but a testament to the growing role of women in the Indian economy. The decline in the Unemployment Rate (UR) from 6.0 per cent to 2 per cent further marks improved job availability and economic stability, according to the data.
The Ministry’s analysis of the PLFS data pertaining to the female labour force in the country underscores the significant strides in female participation in economic activity across various categories, including rural and urban. This rise in participation is a clear sign of the increasing empowerment of women in the workforce.
According to the PLFS, the rural FLFPR increased significantly by 23 percentage points between 2017-18 and 2023-24 (24.6 percent in 2017-18 and 47.6 percent in 2023-24), indicating a rising contribution of women to rural production.
WPR for Women doubled from 22 percent in 2017-18 to 40.3 per cent in 2023-24; LFPR for Women increased from 23.3 per cent to 41.7 per cent, and the unemployment rate was reduced from 5.6 per cent to 3.2 per cent.The survey further stated that there has been an upward trend of educated women in the workforce. As per PLFS data, around 39.6 per cent of total women with an education level of post-graduate and above are working in 2023-24, compared to 34.5 per cent in 2017-18.
At the same time, 23.9 percent of women with a higher secondary education level are in the workforce in 2023-24, compared to 11.4 percent in 2017-18. Further, out of total women educated up to primary level, around 50.2 percent are in the workforce in 2023-24, compared to 24.9 percent in 2017-18.
For more updates Subscribe to Media Eye News
—IANS
