Pattern of female work force participation in India

In India, according to National Sample Survey 2009-10, the female work force participation rate is decreasing in India with a wide regional variation unlike other countries. This calls for an investigation so as to know how and why the rate is declining. We undertake the study to have an insight into the changing trend in female workforce participation within the period of 2004 to 2010. The data source for this study is ‘Employment and Unemployment Situation in India’ of the two rounds of National sample Survey organization (NSSO) namely; the 61th (schedule 10) and the 66 th (schedule 10) rounds conducted during 2004-05 and 2009-10 respectively. The dataset of the two time periods have been pooled and logistic regression analysis has been done so as to know the predictors of the low female workforce participation. The study finds that there has been decrease in female workforce participation (FWP) from 29 percent to 23 percent from 2004 to 2010 whereas the male workforce participation is same over the two periods i.e. 55 percent. The rural, younger, illiterate, poorest, never married, scheduled tribe and Muslim women have higher levels of unemployment.Number of self employed women is declining whereas casual work among women is increasing over the years.