Female labor force participation rate — all countries

Female labor force participation rate — India

Female labor force participation rate in India in 2025 — 32.43%. Ranked 162 in the world out of 182. Since 1990, the indicator has risen by 2.17 pp.

2025 32.43% +0.01 pp vs 2024
World rank 162of 182
Period maximum 34.85%2005
Period minimum 26%2020

Trend over time

1990–2025 · % of women aged 15+

Female labor force participation rate — India, 1990–20252527.53032.53519901994199820022006201020142018202220251990: 30.26%1991: 30.36%1992: 30.48%1993: 30.6%1994: 30.74%1995: 31.33%1996: 31.93%1997: 32.54%1998: 33.16%1999: 33.78%2000: 34.4%2001: 34.48%2002: 34.57%2003: 34.66%2004: 34.75%2005: 34.85%2006: 33.5%2007: 32.18%2008: 30.89%2009: 29.64%2010: 28.43%2011: 27.58%2012: 26.76%2013: 26.67%2014: 26.61%2015: 26.58%2016: 26.58%2017: 26.58%2018: 26.57%2019: 26.54%2020: 26%2021: 27.72%2022: 29.35%2023: 30.98%2024: 32.42%2025: 32.43%
Change over the period: +2.17 pp Annual average: 0.06 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: India

India 32.43%
World 48.94%
South Asia 32.98%
Southern Asia computed 30.46%
Female labor force participation rate — India, by year India All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 32.43 +0.01 pp
2024 32.42 +1.43 pp
2023 30.98 +1.64 pp
2022 29.35 +1.62 pp
2021 27.72 +1.73 pp
2020 26 −0.54 pp
2019 26.54 −0.03 pp
2018 26.57 −0.01 pp
2017 26.58 +0 pp
2016 26.58 −0.01 pp
2015 26.58 −0.02 pp
2014 26.61 −0.06 pp
2013 26.67 −0.09 pp
2012 26.76 −0.82 pp
2011 27.58 −0.84 pp
2010 28.43 −1.22 pp
2009 29.64 −1.25 pp
2008 30.89 −1.29 pp
2007 32.18 −1.32 pp
2006 33.5 −1.35 pp
2005 34.85 +0.1 pp
2004 34.75 +0.09 pp
2003 34.66 +0.09 pp
2002 34.57 +0.09 pp
2001 34.48 +0.09 pp
2000 34.4 +0.62 pp
1999 33.78 +0.62 pp
1998 33.16 +0.61 pp
1997 32.54 +0.61 pp
1996 31.93 +0.6 pp
1995 31.33 +0.59 pp
1994 30.74 +0.14 pp
1993 30.6 +0.12 pp
1992 30.48 +0.11 pp
1991 30.36 +0.1 pp
1990 30.26

About the indicator

The share of women aged 15 and over who belong to the labor force. The spread across countries runs from under 10% to over 80%, and it is one of the strongest dividing lines between socioeconomic models. Historically the rate rose together with falling fertility and wider access to education.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.