Despite a rise in women's workforce participation and falling unemployment, a new study highlights a persistent 'decent work' deficit in India. This means many jobs lack social security, fair wages, and stable contracts, especially for women.
Nearly doubled
Women's Workforce Growth (2017-18 to 2025)
⏳ Time Machine
How today’s news fits into the bigger picture
2017-18
Women's Workforce Participation Low
Women's labor force participation in India was significantly lower, around 23-24%, indicating a large untapped potential in the economy.
2019-2020
COVID-19 Exacerbates Informal Sector Vulnerabilities
The pandemic exposed the deep vulnerabilities of India's informal workforce, with many losing jobs and lacking social safety nets, highlighting the urgent need for 'decent work'.
2025
Women's Workforce Doubles
An Icrier study estimates that women's workforce participation nearly doubled between 2017-18 and 2025, reaching over 45% in some metrics, driven by various factors.
October 2026
Falling Unemployment Rate Reported
Official data for previous months indicated a decline in India's overall unemployment rate, signaling an increase in general employment levels.
Today
A new study highlighted India's persistent 'decent work' deficit, especially for women.
What happens next?
Policymakers are expected to focus on formalizing the economy and strengthening social security for informal workers in the next 1-2 years.
While India has seen a positive trend with falling unemployment and increased workforce participation, particularly among women, a recent study points to a significant 'decent work' deficit. This implies that many new jobs are often informal, lack social security benefits, and offer lower wages, especially for women. An Icrier study revealed that while the women's workforce nearly doubled between 2017-18 and 2025, these gains were concentrated in insecure jobs with shorter hours and a wider pay gap. This trend has critical implications for economic growth and social equity, as workers without adequate protection remain vulnerable to economic shocks.
💭 If you're wondering…
According to the ILO, 'decent work' includes productive work that provides a fair income, security in the workplace, social protection for families, better prospects for personal development, and freedom for people to express their concerns.
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