Women’s Employment Rate in India Nearly Doubles Since 2017-18: Labour Ministry
Women’s Employment Rate in India Nearly Doubles Since 2017-18: Labour Ministry
📌 News Analysis: Women’s Employment Rate in India Doubles (2017-18 to 2023-24)
🔹 Context
The Ministry of Labour and Employment highlighted that women’s employment rate in India has nearly doubled between 2017-18 to 2023-24, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
Female unemployment rate has dropped from 5.6% (2017-18) to 3.2% (2023-24).
🔹 Key Findings
Rural Employment:
Growth of 96% in women’s employment.
Largely due to agriculture, self-employment, and MGNREGA-related activities.
Urban Employment:
Growth of 43%.
Driven by rise in service sector jobs, digital platforms, startups, MSMEs.
Women-led MSMEs:
Number doubled between 2010-11 to 2023-24.
Reflects growth in women entrepreneurship.
Formal Workforce Inclusion:
1.56 crore women joined the formal workforce in the last 7 years.
e-Shram Data:
16+ crore women workers registered under the portal, indicating rising participation from the unorganized sector.
🔹 Significance
Indicates structural shift in India’s labour market.
Reflects success of women-centric schemes (e.g., Stand Up India, Mudra Yojana, Skill India, MGNREGA, SHG initiatives).
Boost to inclusive growth & SDG-5 (Gender Equality).
🔹 Challenges Ahead
Job Quality: Large share still in informal & low-paying sectors.
Urban Gender Gap: Urban employment growth slower compared to rural.
