MISSING WOMEN IN THE

INDIAN ECONOMY
 INTRODUCTION

 No nation can progress unless its women are given equal access to opportunities and
adequate safety and security.

 India is the Second Most Populous Country in the world. As at May 26, 2017 India has a
population of 1.34 billion(134 crore), where the female constitute 652 million which is 48.65
percent of the entire population, it has one of the world’s most lopsided female participation
rates in its labor force.

 Women have faced a range of structural and social barriers in fully participating in the
Indian economy, which not only hinders their individual agency but also limits India’s
ability to continue to modernize.
 INDIA’S SITUATION
▶ India has one of the lowest female labour force participation rates (FLPR)

▶ FLPR in India dropped from 34.8 percent to 27 percent between 1993 and 2013. At around 33
percent at the national level in 2012, India’s FLFP rate is well below the global average of around 50
percent and East Asia average of around 63 percent.

▶ Despite India’s rapid Economic growth, it still has the worst record and posted the lowest rate of
female participation in the workforce among the BRIC countries. Its performance in female workforce
participation stood at 27 percent, significantly behind China (64 percent), Brazil (59 percent), Russia
(57 percent), and South Africa (45 percent).
Trends in female labour force participation rates across South Asia (%)
• Gender gaps in labour force participation
have been the highest in South Asia.

• As per recent report by ILO, India and

Pakistan have the lowest rates of women’s
labour force participation in Asia.

• Falling rate of women in the Indian labour

force, which occurred despite strong
economic growth.

• Of the 185 nations that are part of the ILO

database, India ranked 165th in female
labour force participation.

• Countries like Nepal, Vietnam and

Cambodia in Asia that have the highest
women labour force participation.

• Bangladesh women participation was high

due to the growth of the readymade garment
sector and an increase in rural female
Source: Based on data from national statistical offices. employment.
 Females who attend to domestic duties as a percentage of all females in
India
Various year Rural Females Urban Females

1993-94 29.1 41.7

1999-2000 29.2 43.3

2004-05 27.2 42.8

2009-10 34.7 46.5

2011-12 35.3 46.1

 Women’s role in reproduction and in a range of activities within households, such as caring for the
young and old, cooking and other household chores, do not find recognition in the system of national
accounts or other economic statistics.

 total women usually engaged in domestic duties were 35.7% in rural areas and about 46.5% in
urban areas in 2009-10.
 Distribution of females across various labour market outcomes, India
(15–59 age group)

Rural Females (1993-94) Urban Females (1993-94)

Self employed Caual labour Self employed Caual labour

Regualr salary Unemployement Regualr salary Unemployement
Out of labour force Out of labour force

30% 30%

48% 48%

2% 2%
20% 20%

0% 0%
Source: NSS, various rounds.
 Distribution of females across various labour market outcomes, India
(15–59 age group)

Rural Females (2011-12) Urban Females (2011-12)

Self employed Self employed
Regualr salary Casual labour
Caual labour Regualr salary
unemployement Unemployement

9%

22% 9%
3%
1%
2%

62% 13%
78%
1%

Source: NSS, various rounds.

Percentage distribution of workers by industry of work and status in
employment in India
Years Sectors of economy (%)
Primary Secondary Tertiary
1999-00 Total 48.9 24.3 26.8
Male 43.6 25.9 30.5
Female 62.8 20.0 17.2
2004-05 Total 53.2 21.5 25.3
Male 47.1 23.6 29.3
Female 68.7 16.3 15.0
2009-10 Total 58.5 18.1 23.4
Male 50.8 20.5 28.6
Female 73.9 13.3 12.8
2011-12 Total 61.7 15.8 22.5
Male 54.9 17.7 27.3
Female 76.3 11.7 12.0

Source: NSS, various rounds

 Reasons For Less Participation
▶ Lack of jobs opportunities.

▶ shrinking agricultural sector in favor of a rapidly expanding service.

▶ The stagnation of participation of married females in urban areas.

▶ Rising household incomes and husband’s education.

▶ Increasing returns to home production, relative to market production.

▶ Feminization U hypothesis, wherein female labor force participation first decline and then rises.

▶ Male and female wage difference.

 Reasons For Less Participation
▶ For a lot of women, marriage, childbirth or the burden of household work (largely borne by women
in India) culminates in the end of their work lives.

▶ Lack of education and awareness.

▶ Difficult for women to balance her domestic life with her professional life due to safety issues.
 Ways to overcome the problem

More job opportunities in high More women friendly maternity

profile jobs. policy.

Extension of paternity leave.

Jobs near home attract women. Safe and accessible public

transport and public spaces.

More jobs in Tier II and III cities.

Conclusion