India Female Labour Force Participation 20 Years Behind G20 Peers

India's female labor force participation rate (FLFPR) remains significantly lower than its G20 peers, currently at 31.7%, well below Prime Minister Narendra Modi's target of 70% by 2047. Experts attribute this gap to the predominance of low-paid self-employment, safety concerns, unpaid caregiving responsibilities, and limited access to formal jobs with benefits, which disproportionately affect women's sustained workforce engagement. Urban women face additional barriers such as inflexible jobs, unsafe public spaces, and a lack of childcare facilities, while rural women's higher participation is often driven by economic necessity rather than empowerment. Economists warn that it may take 20 to 30 years or more for India to reach FLFPR levels comparable to other G20 countries, with many women working in precarious conditions and men receiving hiring priority in job-scarce environments. The underutilization of women in the workforce not only hampers economic growth but also perpetuates patriarchal norms and gender inequality. Calls for improved childcare support, safer workplaces, anti-discrimination laws, and flexible job opportunities aim to address these systemic challenges and promote more inclusive economic participation.