Women in the labour force
Female labour-force participation — among the lowest of any large economy, and the single biggest pool of unused potential in India's growth story. Recent official surveys report a rise; how much is real and how much is measurement is still debated.
Latest
32.43
Published by
World Bank / ILO
Women in the labour force over time
View as table
| Period | Women in the labour force |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 32.4% |
| 2024 | 32.4% |
| 2023 | 31.0% |
| 2022 | 29.3% |
| 2021 | 27.7% |
| 2020 | 26.0% |
| 2019 | 26.5% |
| 2018 | 26.6% |
| 2017 | 26.6% |
| 2016 | 26.6% |
| 2015 | 26.6% |
| 2014 | 26.6% |
| 2013 | 26.7% |
| 2012 | 26.8% |
| 2011 | 27.6% |
| 2010 | 28.4% |
| 2009 | 29.6% |
| 2008 | 30.9% |
| 2007 | 32.2% |
| 2006 | 33.5% |
| 2005 | 34.9% |
| 2004 | 34.8% |
| 2003 | 34.7% |
| 2002 | 34.6% |
| 2001 | 34.5% |
| 2000 | 34.4% |
| 1999 | 33.8% |
| 1998 | 33.2% |
| 1997 | 32.5% |
| 1996 | 31.9% |
| 1995 | 31.3% |
| 1994 | 30.7% |
| 1993 | 30.6% |
| 1992 | 30.5% |
| 1991 | 30.4% |
| 1990 | 30.3% |
Compared with
Source
World Bank / ILO — https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.TLF.CACT.FE.ZS