Quick Overview
India’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) rose significantly to 41.7% in 2023–24, reversing a decade-long decline. On the surface, this appears to signal progress towards gender equity. However, a deeper dive reveals that the increase is largely driven by rural economic distress, unpaid family labour, and a return to agriculture, not formal or remunerative work. Women remain overrepresented in low-paying, informal sectors with limited access to social protection or asset ownership. True empowerment remains elusive unless India reforms how it defines, supports, and values women’s labour.
What Is Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR)?
The FLFPR includes women who are either employed or actively seeking employment. A rise in FLFPR isn’t always positive—it could stem from unpaid or low-paid work and doesn’t always translate into economic empowerment.
The Trend
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FLFPR declined from 31.2% in 2011–12 to 23.3% in 2017–18
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It rose to 41.7% in 2023–24 (PLFS data)
But this rise is largely distress-driven, not empowerment-led.
Rural Women: The Driving Force
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Increase in FLFPR is rural-centric, driven by inflation, joblessness, and household needs.
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Most new roles are unpaid or in self-employment, not salaried positions.
Return to Agriculture
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Instead of moving into modern sectors, women are moving back into agriculture.
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Rural women in agriculture rose from 71.1% in 2018–19 to 76.9% in 2023–24.
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Participation in industry and services declined.
Informal & Unpaid Work Rising
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Women in domestic duties dropped (57.8% → 35.7%)
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But “helpers in household enterprises” rose from 9.1% → 19.6%
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Own-account workers rose from 4.5% → 14.6%
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Quality of employment remains low: no income security, no social protection
Structural Constraints
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Sectoral Bias: Women remain stuck in low-productivity sectors
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Invisible Labour: Unpaid care work still under-recognized
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Mobility Barriers: Safety, childcare, and transport limit work options
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Informality: Over 90% of women are in the informal sector
Policy Recommendations
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Redefine Employment
Include quality metrics: wages, hours, asset control, safety -
Targeted Job Creation
Incentivize women hiring in PLI schemes, MSMEs, and Make in India -
Invest in Care Infrastructure
Community childcare, eldercare, cooking spaces → reduce unpaid burden -
Skills & Digital Inclusion
Promote health, education, logistics, platform economy for women -
Support Self-Employment
Strengthen SHGs, provide credit and market access -
Challenge Gender Norms
Public campaigns + school-level sensitisation = long-term change
Conclusion
The increase in FLFPR shows the resilience of Indian women, but not their empowerment. Most are still unpaid, vulnerable, and underprotected in the workforce. India’s demographic dividend will not yield true returns unless women’s work is dignified, paid, and protected. To achieve SDG 5: Gender Equality, India must move from counting women in the workforce to valuing their contribution.