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%.
What is it?
- Refers to Women’s Workforce Participation Rate (WPR) as per Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
- Indicates the share of women engaged in economic activities, including self-employment, regular salaried jobs, and casual labour.
Key Trends (2017–2024)
- Overall WPR: Increased from 22% (2017-18) to 40.3% (2023-24).
- Unemployment Rate (Female): Fell from 5.6% → 3.2%.
- Rural Employment: Increased by 96%.
- Urban Employment: Increased by 43%.
- Self-Employment: Rose from 51.9% → 67.4%.
- Formal Workforce: 1.56 crore women joined.
- e-Shram Portal: 16+ crore women registered.
- Women-Led MSMEs: Doubled in last 7 years.
- Financial Inclusion: 68% of Mudra loans sanctioned to women.
- Gender Budget: Up by 429% in last decade.
- Entrepreneurship: Nearly 50% of Indian startups have women directors.
