Delhi has lowest female labour force of 14.8% in 2022-23, Himachal Pradesh has highest: Govt

NEW DELHI: Himachal Pradesh had the highest female labour force participation rate of 71.4% in 2022-23 and the national capital, New Delhi, had the lowest rate of 14.8%, according to the female Labour force participation rate (LFPR) data shared by the minister of state for labour and employment Sushri Shobha Karandlaje. The minister also said that the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data indicates that the women participation in the labour force has seen an increasing trend over the years.

According to the World Bank, India’s female labour force participation rate was 19.2% in 2021, contributing 17% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Gumma Thanuja Rani pointed to this data and asked the ministry about the steps and measures taken to improve female labour force participation. Contrary to the World Bank data, the details given by the Indian government showed that 32.8% females of age 15 years and above were working in the year 2021-2022.

Sushri Shobha Karandlaje in the Lok Sabha reply said: “Government has incorporated a number of provisions in the labour laws for equal opportunity and congenial work environment for women workers like paid maternity leave, flexible working hours, equal wages etc.”

“To enhance the employability of female workers, the Government is providing training to them through a network of Women Industrial Training institutes, National Vocational Training Institutes and Regional Vocational Training Institutes,” she added.

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Female labour rate of last 6 years

As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which is conducted by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI), the estimated Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) on usual status for females of age 15 years and above during the years 2017-18 to 2022-23 are given below. The survey period is from July to June every year.

Female labour force participation rate

State and union territory-wise details of female labour force participation rate for the age group 15 and above is given below. New Delhi has not crossed 18% since 2017-18. Himachal Pradesh has the highest participation rate of 71.4% in 2022-23, followed by Sikkim with 68.6%.