India’s Missing Female Youth Labour Force: Size, Characteristics and Policy Concern

Rajshree Bedamatta () and Mridusmita Bordoloi ()
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Rajshree Bedamatta: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati
Mridusmita Bordoloi: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, 2024, vol. 67, issue 2, No 9, 465-481

Abstract: Abstract In the 21st International Conference of Labour Statisticians (ICLS) convened in October 2023, an amendment to the 19th ICLS resolution of 2013 on labour underutilisation statistics was ratified. It introduces refined measures for assessing labour underutilisation, providing nations with updated guidelines for integrating these measures into their statistical frameworks. Notably, it introduces the concept of the potential labour force, which includes individuals not currently employed, who might be disinclined or unable to seek employment due to various constraints. In our study, we specifically address this segment within the Indian female youth population, referring to them as the "missing labour force". Utilising India's official national datasets—the Employment-Unemployment Survey for 2011–12 and the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) from 2017–18 to 2022–23—we calculate the absolute size of the female youth population comprising the missing (or potential) labour force between 2011–12 and 2022–23. Our analysis delineates the magnitude of this issue, presenting both national and regional dimensions. In 2022–23, approximately 114.6 million females aged 15 to 35, were missing from the labour market, accounting for 48% of the total female youth population in India. Acknowledging the current challenges in the labour market, particularly the high rates of informality and unemployment among female youth, this paper proposes strategic interventions and policy recommendations aimed at integration of the missing female youth labour force into employment sectors.

Keywords: Female youth labour force; labour underutilisation; potential labour force; size of labour force (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J01 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s41027-024-00493-6

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