India's Dwindling Female Labour Force Participation


Over the years, economies worldwide have evolved, and women have taken up multiple roles. Not only are they contributing to the household, but they also are actively participating in economic activities.

India is one of the most populated countries globally, with over 500 million workers, out of which only 149.8 million are women. The female labour force participation rate (FLFP) of India has been consistently low compared to other countries in the world. Even though the population of women in India comprises nearly 50% of the country's total population, their labour force participation rate stands at about 20.5% in 2019, which has slipped from being approximately 30.3% in the 1990s. According to the latest data, India is behind several neighbouring countries like Pakistan (22.8%) and Afghanistan (21.8%), with 14% and 15% female labour force participation rates in the 1990s. 

During the earlier stages, The Ministry of Labour and Employment of India launched various schemes that aided to increase the FLFP- included in which were the enhancements of paid maternity leaves, ensuring adequate safety measures for women employees working in night shifts, under the Factories Act (1948), special rebates provided under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, The Equal Remuneration Act (1976) which compelled equal pay for men and women for the same work or work of similar nature without discrimination based on gender, and the introduction of self-help groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.


Despite observing various positives like women's rising literacy rate and declining fertility rates, these factors have not helped in increasing their participation rate in the labour force. The Covid-19 pandemic has further aggravated the situation, with women losing their jobs higher than men. Numerous reasons have contributed to the fall in the FLFP of India; some of them include the persisting practices of gender discrimination and several societal norms that inhibit women from flourishing in society.

Women in India often give priority to domestic work, especially after getting married, due to societal, cultural norms and expectations. According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development report, Indian women spend nearly six hours doing unpaid domestic work whereas men contribute merely 52 minutes. A large proportion of the women believe that they must be the caregivers of their families and carry out household work. The National Sample Survey (2011-12) stated that 90% of the women who were not working primarily engaged in domestic activities, and around 92% believed they were 'required to do so'.

To increase the female labour force participation rate, specific measures should be taken like giving adequate recognition to the work done by women. Many times, women are neglected not only for their contribution to the economic activities but also for the unpaid work in terms of being the caregivers of their families. We should work towards removing the social stigma associated with women. A conscious effort should be made to provide them with the freedom they deserve- working and co-existing in the economy with their male counterparts. If more women enter the labour force, it will be beneficial for the overall development of the economy. It would help bring a change to the current scenario of the ever plummeting labour participation rates of women. 

Pandura Kharbanda 
B.Com (H)
Second Year







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