India's Female Workforce Rises But Remains Challenged by Distress, Unemployment and Wage Gaps

Women's participation in India's labor force rose recently, likely driven by distress and self-employment rather than economic growth, per a study.
Self-employment among women rose 14 percentage points between mid-2018 and late 2022, with lower earnings than pre-pandemic.
India's female workforce participation increased to 33% post-pandemic from 30% before, but remains low and with a wage gap.
India added 57 million jobs in 5 years to mid-2022, but 35 million remained unemployed amid fast economic growth.
Unemployment is high among youth, especially graduates below age 25 at over 40%, but drops as they age, indicating eventual employment.

reuters.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/23/2023

Resilient labor market boosted by record female participation

Despite the impact of the pandemic on women in the workforce, women are driving the recovery of the labor market, with July marking the fifth consecutive month that women accounted for over half of the national gain in nonfarm jobs, although women without degrees and minorities continue to face challenges.

8/28/2023

Our Ruling Class Has Women's Workforce Participation All Wrong

The Wall Street Journal criticizes India's low female workforce participation and advocates for communist-inspired economic policies, despite the fact that China's similar policies have led to economic and demographic collapse.

8/28/2023

India Is Behind the Curve on Women in the Workforce

India's low female labor-force participation rate is attributed to weak job creation and a conservative culture that confines women to the home, hindering progress despite recent small gains in the percentage of women in the workforce.

9/24/2023

India's Economic Growth Not Translating into Enough New Jobs, Widening Inequalities

The latest State of Working India report reveals that economic growth in India has led to a decrease in job disparities and greater upward mobility, but job creation has not kept pace with GDP growth, particularly in the manufacturing sector, and there are deep divides in pay across gender, caste, and religion. The COVID-19 pandemic further increased reliance on agriculture and self-employment, particularly among women.

10/3/2023

India Seeks Women's Workforce Boost, Manufacturing Growth, and World Bank Reforms to Spur Development

India needs to increase women's participation in the workforce to 50% to achieve its goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy, according to the World Bank India director, Auguste Tano Kouamé. Increasing female labor force participation alone could add 1 percentage point to India's GDP growth.

10/9/2023

Indian Economy Grows on Strong Services and Jobs, But Gender Gap Persists

The Indian economy grew 7.8% in the first quarter, leading to improved employment numbers and a decrease in the unemployment rate in urban areas. Female labor force participation also increased, but there is still a significant gender disparity in unemployment rates.

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Posted 9/20/2023, 8:39:00 AM

India's Female Workforce Rises But Remains Challenged by Distress, Unemployment and Wage Gaps

Women's participation in India's labor force rose recently, likely driven by distress and self-employment rather than economic growth, per a study.
Self-employment among women rose 14 percentage points between mid-2018 and late 2022, with lower earnings than pre-pandemic.
India's female workforce participation increased to 33% post-pandemic from 30% before, but remains low and with a wage gap.
India added 57 million jobs in 5 years to mid-2022, but 35 million remained unemployed amid fast economic growth.
Unemployment is high among youth, especially graduates below age 25 at over 40%, but drops as they age, indicating eventual employment.

reuters.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/23/2023

Resilient labor market boosted by record female participation

8/28/2023

Our Ruling Class Has Women's Workforce Participation All Wrong

8/28/2023

India Is Behind the Curve on Women in the Workforce

9/24/2023

India's Economic Growth Not Translating into Enough New Jobs, Widening Inequalities

10/3/2023

India Seeks Women's Workforce Boost, Manufacturing Growth, and World Bank Reforms to Spur Development

10/9/2023

Indian Economy Grows on Strong Services and Jobs, But Gender Gap Persists