Who among the Elderly Participate in the Labour Force in India?

Using data from different rounds of employment and unemployment surveys (EUS) of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), we examine the labour force participation rate (LFPR) of older persons in India from 1983 to 2009-10 and analyse how different socio-economic and demographic factors are associated with labour force participation decision making at older age in India. The paper also reviews the conditions of work for the elderly in India. The results show that LFPR of older persons in rural India remained almost stable between 1983 and 2009-10, despite the rapid economic growth that India experienced in the same period. Further, the results show that among the elderly those who belong to relatively poor socio-economic status are more likely to participate in the labour force. Also it is observed that large percentage of the elderly workforce are engaged in poorly paid jobs in the informal sector, either as casual workers or as self-employed in low skilled or unskilled occupations. This suggests that given the inadequate social security for the majority of the older persons and the declining traditional support from adult children with the growth of nuclear families, continuing to work can be the only option for old age support for the majority in India.