Only a quarter of Indian women between the ages of 15 and 59 years are part of the workforce, according to data released last month as part of the 2011 Census. This figure is the same as an independent estimate made by the Ministry of Labour and Employment last year.
India ranks 134 out of 189 when it comes to women in the workforce, according to a 2013 World Bank report.
The percentage of women in full-time employment fell to 16% in 2012 from 18% in 2009, according to a 2013 survey by the National Sample Survey Organisation.
These figures are particularly low compared with the female literacy rate of 65.4%.
Regional differences
UP and Bihar has the lowest percentage of female workers
At 11%, UP has the country's lowest proportion of women in the workforce, according to the Census 2011 data. In Bihar, the figure is just slightly higher, at 13%. In Vaishali district, only 6.5% of women are part of the workforce.
In rural areas, 30.79% of women work, but the figure in urban areas is a low 11.88%. This is because economic compulsions override social ones in rural India.
The rural part of the Bihar’s capital, Patna, for instance, has 17% of women working but the figure in the urban section is not even 10%, even though women in the city are usually better educated.
In Delhi, only 13% of women are employed, despite the literacy rate being 88.3%. In south Delhi, one of the most prosperous areas in the city, with a literacy rate of 92%, only 15% of women are in the workforce.
In Bangalore, 28% of women work, in Mumbai, 23% and in Chennai 21%. The figure in Kolkata is 17% and in Hyderabad 16%.
“Rural women need to work full -time to meet their basic daily needs,” said Deepa Mathur, a sociologist at the University of Rajasthan.
Rajasthan situation
In Jaipur, only 3% of women are in the workforce, a fraction of the 27% for Rajasthan as a whole.
“My daughter and her friend did their MBA from a reputable college, but when she went to look for a job, none of the private companies offered her more than Rs 12,000 per month,” said Aruna Shrivastav, secretary of the Rajasthan Sociological Association.
Her daughter was ambitious and went to Mumbai to pursue a career but her friend chose to get married into a rich local family.
North East fares better
States in the North East did better. Mizoram has 42% of women in the workforce, followed by Manipur at 35%.
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India ranks 134 out of 189 when it comes to women in the workforce, according to a 2013 World Bank report.
The percentage of women in full-time employment fell to 16% in 2012 from 18% in 2009, according to a 2013 survey by the National Sample Survey Organisation.
These figures are particularly low compared with the female literacy rate of 65.4%.
Regional differences
UP and Bihar has the lowest percentage of female workers
At 11%, UP has the country's lowest proportion of women in the workforce, according to the Census 2011 data. In Bihar, the figure is just slightly higher, at 13%. In Vaishali district, only 6.5% of women are part of the workforce.
In rural areas, 30.79% of women work, but the figure in urban areas is a low 11.88%. This is because economic compulsions override social ones in rural India.
The rural part of the Bihar’s capital, Patna, for instance, has 17% of women working but the figure in the urban section is not even 10%, even though women in the city are usually better educated.
In Delhi, only 13% of women are employed, despite the literacy rate being 88.3%. In south Delhi, one of the most prosperous areas in the city, with a literacy rate of 92%, only 15% of women are in the workforce.
In Bangalore, 28% of women work, in Mumbai, 23% and in Chennai 21%. The figure in Kolkata is 17% and in Hyderabad 16%.
“Rural women need to work full -time to meet their basic daily needs,” said Deepa Mathur, a sociologist at the University of Rajasthan.
Rajasthan situation
In Jaipur, only 3% of women are in the workforce, a fraction of the 27% for Rajasthan as a whole.
“My daughter and her friend did their MBA from a reputable college, but when she went to look for a job, none of the private companies offered her more than Rs 12,000 per month,” said Aruna Shrivastav, secretary of the Rajasthan Sociological Association.
Her daughter was ambitious and went to Mumbai to pursue a career but her friend chose to get married into a rich local family.
North East fares better
States in the North East did better. Mizoram has 42% of women in the workforce, followed by Manipur at 35%.