Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in India
India: Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 was 34.0% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in India, 1961–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in India is 34.0%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 1.1% on the previous year and up 24.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in India peaked at 42.9% in 1961 and was at its lowest, 18.7%, in 1971.
That places India 174th out of 194 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 18 years of available data.
Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in India, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 42.9% | — |
| 1971 | 18.7% | -56.5% |
| 1981 | 32.9% | +76.2% |
| 1991 | 33.7% | +2.6% |
| 1994 | 30.8% | -8.5% |
| 2000 | 30.7% | -0.5% |
| 2001 | 37.7% | +22.9% |
| 2005 | 37.1% | -1.6% |
| 2010 | 28.9% | -22.2% |
| 2012 | 27.3% | -5.7% |
| 2018 | 20.7% | -23.9% |
| 2019 | 24.0% | +15.9% |
| 2020 | 26.2% | +8.9% |
| 2021 | 27.0% | +3.3% |
| 2022 | 28.3% | +4.5% |
| 2023 | 35.1% | +24.1% |
| 2024 | 34.4% | -2.0% |
| 2025 | 34.0% | -1.1% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 34.0% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 47.6%, 71% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
- India's 34.0% is below the median for South Asia, which is 36.2%, 94% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in India changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | +76.2% | 18.7% | 32.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 42.9% | 42.9% | 42.9% | 1 |
| 1970s | 18.7% | 18.7% | 18.7% | 1 |
| 1980s | 32.9% | 32.9% | 32.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 32.3% | 30.8% | 33.7% | 2 |
| 2000s | 35.2% | 30.7% | 37.7% | 3 |
| 2010s | 25.2% | 20.7% | 28.9% | 4 |
| 2020s | 30.8% | 26.2% | 35.1% | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
More work & labour data for India
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.5076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.5076 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.5078 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.12 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.47 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 876,613 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 782,365 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 743,542 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 761,710 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 1.51 million 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in India?
- Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 in India was 34.0% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 42.9% in 1961.
- What is the lowest female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 18.7% in 1971.
- How does India rank for female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025?
- India ranks 174th out of 194 countries with data for 2025.
- Is female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025 rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Female labor force participation rate: 1980 vs. 2025. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population who are economically active (employed or unemployed). Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.