Labor force participation rate in India
India: Labor force participation rate was 55.7% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate in India, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate in India is 55.7%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 5.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in India peaked at 60.1% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 51.5%, in 2020.
That places India 135th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 36 years of available data.
Labor force participation rate in India, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 57.9% | — |
| 1991 | 58.0% | +0.1% |
| 1992 | 58.0% | +0.1% |
| 1993 | 58.0% | +0.1% |
| 1994 | 58.1% | +0.1% |
| 1995 | 58.4% | +0.6% |
| 1996 | 58.7% | +0.6% |
| 1997 | 59.1% | +0.6% |
| 1998 | 59.4% | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 59.7% | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 60.1% | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 59.9% | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 59.8% | -0.3% |
| 2003 | 59.6% | -0.3% |
| 2004 | 59.4% | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 59.3% | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 58.3% | -1.6% |
| 2007 | 57.4% | -1.6% |
| 2008 | 56.5% | -1.6% |
| 2009 | 55.6% | -1.6% |
| 2010 | 54.8% | -1.5% |
| 2011 | 54.1% | -1.2% |
| 2012 | 53.5% | -1.1% |
| 2013 | 53.4% | -0.3% |
| 2014 | 53.2% | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 53.0% | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 52.9% | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 52.7% | -0.3% |
| 2018 | 52.5% | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 52.3% | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 51.5% | -1.4% |
| 2021 | 52.5% | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 53.6% | +2.0% |
| 2023 | 54.7% | +2.1% |
| 2024 | 55.6% | +1.7% |
| 2025 | 55.7% | +0.0% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 55.7% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 57.7%, 97% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- India's 55.7% is below the median for South Asia, which is 57.2%, 97% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 58.5% | 57.9% | 59.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 58.6% | 55.6% | 60.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 53.2% | 52.3% | 54.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 53.9% | 51.5% | 55.7% | 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 labor force participation rate in India?
- Labor force participation rate in India was 55.7% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 60.1% in 2000.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 51.5% in 2020.
- How does India rank for labor force participation rate?
- India ranks 135th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).