Context: The Labour Ministry reported that women’s employment rate in India nearly doubled from 22% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24, while female unemployment fell from 5.6% to 3.2%.
About Women’s Employment Rate in India:
- What it is?
- Women’s Workforce Participation Rate (WPR) as measured by PLFS, reflecting the share of women engaged in economic activities (self-employment, regular jobs, casual labour).
- Trends (2017-24):
- WPR doubled from 22% → 40.3%.
- Rural women employment increase by 96%, Urban increase by 43%.
- Female self-employment grew from 51.9% → 67.4%.
- 1.56 crore women joined the formal workforce and 16+ crore registered on e-Shram.
- Women-led MSMEs doubled and 68% Mudra loans went to women.
- Gender budget increase by 429% in last decade.
- Nearly 50% startups have women directors.
Relevance in UPSC Syllabus
- GS-I (Society): Women empowerment, changing role of women, gender equality.
- GS-II (Governance & Policies): Welfare schemes, gender budgeting, inclusive growth.
- GS-III (Economy): Labour reforms, entrepreneurship, MSMEs, skill development, Atmanirbhar Bharat.
