Female Employment in India: Tracking Trends During 2005–2019

Varsha Gupta ()
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Varsha Gupta: Jawaharlal Nehru University

The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, 2021, vol. 64, issue 3, No 14, 803-823

Abstract: Abstract This paper studies the trends and employment patterns from a gender perspective in India. With the use of latest PLFS data and two rounds of EUS, it draws out the changes in female employment during the period 2005–2019 using exploratory research methods. The employment elasticity of output has turned negative at −0.039 between 2012 and 2018. This has affected female employment more than that of males. Education levels have gone up among females, but corresponding rise in employment is not reflected. On the contrary, female WPR has gone down in 2019 since 2005. The paper traces the temporal patterns during 2005–2019, between rural and urban areas, and provides an overview of current state of female employment in India. Results show that the decline is present across the country in all states and union territories. There has been a slight rise in urban areas in certain states. Another positive development is rise in regular salaried employment and reduction in self-employment. The fall in self-employment is owing to falling share of unpaid family workers. There is industrial segregation among female workers with higher concentration in agriculture and services. Share of female workers in non-manufacturing sector increased during 2005–2012 but went down thereafter. Education has been the major employer for women, and their share in this industry has increased by 4.45 percentage points since 2005.

Keywords: Female labour force participation; India; NSS data; Industrial segregation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s41027-021-00330-0

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