India Sees Female Unemployment Plummet to 3.2% Over Six Years: Government Report

New Delhi, March 5 (NationPress) The rate of female unemployment in India has decreased dramatically to only 3.2 percent over the past six years, according to an announcement made by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Wednesday.

This development signifies a move towards increased inclusion and economic empowerment, as stated by Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry, during a two-day conference aimed at enhancing female workforce participation in the nation, held in Mussoorie.

Dawra emphasized the positive trend in female workforce participation in India over the last six years, marked by higher economic engagement, reduced unemployment rates, and a surge of educated women entering the job market.

“The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for women aged 15 and older rose from 22.0 percent in 2017-18 to 40.3 percent in 2023-24, while the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women increased from 23.3 percent to 41.7 percent in the same timeframe,” Dawra explained.

“Importantly, female unemployment has fallen from 5.6 percent to just 3.2 percent,” she added.

The Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative aims for 70 percent female workforce participation.

“Targeted discussions to identify systemic barriers and policy gaps are vital for developing innovative solutions that align with India’s comprehensive economic and social objectives, ensuring sustainable and equitable participation of women in the workforce,” Dawra stated during a roundtable discussion at the event.

With India’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) standing at 41.7 percent (PLFS 2023-24), the conference brought together government officials, industry leaders, global organizations, and skill development institutions to tackle significant challenges and barriers, such as employment obstacles, workplace safety, pay parity, and digital job opportunities.

During the two-day discussions, the Ministry pinpointed crucial action areas essential for boosting women’s workforce participation under its mandate. The expansion of affordable and quality care services was recognized as a key labor market enabler, highlighting the necessity of integrating care policies within employment frameworks to support working women.

The need to align skilling initiatives with industry demand was also accentuated to guarantee women’s access to high-growth sectors. Strengthening workplace safety, equitable policies, and gender-sensitive labor laws emerged as a priority, stressing the importance of compliance mechanisms, gender audits, and the enforcement of PoSH regulations.

With advances in AI and digital transformation in the country, the government has also prioritized leveraging digital employment platforms to enhance women’s digital literacy. Furthermore, the integration of AI-driven skilling programs will ensure women’s equitable engagement in the future workforce.