Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in India
India: Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates was 41.8% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in India, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in India is 41.8%, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 22.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in India peaked at 42.3% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 33.9%, in 2013.
That places India 169th out of 186 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in India, year by year
| Year | % | 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% |
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 rates in India?
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates in India was 41.8% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest ratio of female to male labor force participation rates recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 42.3% in 2005.
- What is the lowest ratio of female to male labor force participation rates 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 rates?
- India ranks 169th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is ratio of female to male labor force participation rates 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 International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Ratio of female to male labor force participation rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This ratio is calculated by dividing the labor force participation rate among women by the corresponding rate for men. The labor force participation rate is the share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).