Determinants of Female Labor Force Participation in India

Attention to women’s economic participation is relatively new, although women constitute half the global population; with their increasing role in labor markets, they play an important role in the economies of developed countries. This paper focuses on the determinants of female labor force participation in India. Examining the structural transformation (ST) framework from agricultural to nonagricultural sectors, comparisons are made to other countries including, particularly, China. Although growing in recent years, women’s participation in India is shown to be low in the formal sector, lower than in neighboring Asian countries and developed countries. Six factors influencing female labor force participation in India are reviewed: (1) development strategy, including the extent of labor intensity and skills development; (2) demographic transition; (3) sociopolitical and cultural factors, including policies pursued in the process of modernization of traditional gender roles and religion; (4) insufficient investment in vocational education and training; (5) insufficient quantity and quality of childcare facilities; and (6) concern for women’s safety and their limited mobility. Some policy implications are highlighted.