Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India
India: Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) was 41.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
41.8%
Change on year
down 0.0%
World rank
170th
of 187 countries
All-time high
42.3%
in 2005
All-time low
33.9%
in 2013
Years of data
36
1990–2025
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2025, ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India stood at 41.8%.
That represents a change of up 22.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India peaked at 42.3% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 33.9%, in 2013.
That places India 170th out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 36.0% | — |
| 1991 | 36.2% | +0.4% |
| 1992 | 36.3% | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 36.5% | +0.4% |
| 1994 | 36.7% | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 37.3% | +1.8% |
| 1996 | 38.0% | +1.8% |
| 1997 | 38.7% | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 39.4% | +1.8% |
| 1999 | 40.1% | +1.8% |
| 2000 | 40.8% | +1.8% |
| 2001 | 41.1% | +0.7% |
| 2002 | 41.4% | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 41.7% | +0.7% |
| 2004 | 42.0% | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 42.3% | +0.8% |
| 2006 | 40.9% | -3.2% |
| 2007 | 39.6% | -3.3% |
| 2008 | 38.3% | -3.4% |
| 2009 | 37.0% | -3.4% |
| 2010 | 35.7% | -3.5% |
| 2011 | 34.8% | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 34.0% | -2.4% |
| 2013 | 33.9% | -0.1% |
| 2014 | 34.0% | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 34.1% | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 34.2% | +0.4% |
| 2017 | 34.4% | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 34.5% | +0.4% |
| 2019 | 34.6% | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 34.3% | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 36.5% | +6.3% |
| 2022 | 38.4% | +5.1% |
| 2023 | 40.2% | +4.7% |
| 2024 | 41.8% | +4.0% |
| 2025 | 41.8% | -0.0% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 41.8% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 77.8%, 54% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- India's 41.8% is below the median for South Asia, which is 50.0%, 84% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 37.5% | 36.0% | 40.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 40.5% | 37.0% | 42.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 34.4% | 33.9% | 35.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.8% | 34.3% | 41.8% | 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 ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India?
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India was 41.8% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 42.3% in 2005.
- What is the lowest ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.9% in 2013.
- How does India rank for ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%)?
- India ranks 170th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) (modeled ILO estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.