NSSO 66th round Employment Survey

The survey showed a decline in the labor force participation <for men, women or both?>
Female LFP has declined as per all the three criteria (usual, weekly and daily status) in rural
and urban areas as compared to 2004-05
Even among urban males, there is a decline in the rates as per the usual and weekly status,
though the daily status work participation rate shows an improvement.
Only the rural males reported an increased participation in the labour market in terms of all
the three criteria
The decline in the work participation rate of females can stem from their increased
participation in education and withdrawal from petty or subsidiary activities.
Women may withdraw from principal activities if male earnings improve considerably
Apart from the supply side (from labour point of view) factors driving this decline there are
other factors as well
Other factors
o Decline in the demand for labour?
o Underemployment or disguised unemployment might have declined in the urban
areas
o Lack of rural diversification