Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India
India: Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) was 44.1% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India, 1961–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
In 2025, ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India stood at 44.1%.
The figure is down 0.6% on the previous year and up 27.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) in India peaked at 48.1% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 21.8%, in 1971.
That places India 178th out of 196 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 47.6% | — |
| 1971 | 21.8% | -54.1% |
| 1981 | 37.9% | +73.7% |
| 1991 | 41.9% | +10.7% |
| 1994 | 36.7% | -12.6% |
| 2000 | 37.1% | +1.1% |
| 2001 | 48.1% | +29.7% |
| 2005 | 44.9% | -6.7% |
| 2010 | 36.3% | -19.1% |
| 2012 | 34.6% | -4.8% |
| 2018 | 28.1% | -18.7% |
| 2019 | 32.2% | +14.8% |
| 2020 | 35.2% | +9.3% |
| 2021 | 36.0% | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 37.1% | +3.1% |
| 2023 | 45.9% | +23.7% |
| 2024 | 44.4% | -3.4% |
| 2025 | 44.1% | -0.6% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 44.1% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 74.2%, 59% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
- India's 44.1% is below the median for South Asia, which is 49.4%, 89% of the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 47.6% | 47.6% | 47.6% | 1 |
| 1970s | 21.8% | 21.8% | 21.8% | 1 |
| 1980s | 37.9% | 37.9% | 37.9% | 1 |
| 1990s | 39.3% | 36.7% | 41.9% | 2 |
| 2000s | 43.3% | 37.1% | 48.1% | 3 |
| 2010s | 32.8% | 28.1% | 36.3% | 4 |
| 2020s | 40.5% | 35.2% | 45.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near India
- 175 Mauritania 46.5% compare
- 176 Oman 46.1% compare
- 177 Sri Lanka 44.2% compare
- 179 Saudi Arabia 41.9% compare
- 180 Kosovo 41.9% compare
- 180 Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) 41.9% compare
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 44.1% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), 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 48.1% in 2001.
- What is the lowest ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 21.8% in 1971.
- How does India rank for ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%)?
- India ranks 178th out of 196 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 27.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate is the proportion of female labor force participation relative to male labor force participation. The labor force participation rate is the labor force as a percent of the population ages 15 and older. The labor force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed.