The Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) is a key concept and economic indicator that measures gender inclusivity in economic activities. It is defined as the proportion of women in the working-age population, specifically those aged 15 years and above, who are either employed or actively seeking employment. The FLFPR is calculated as the percentage of employed and unemployed individuals relative to the total population in this age group.
The concept's significance in India stems from a historical problem: a sharp declining trend in FLFPR from 30.2% in 1990 to a low of 17.5% in 2018. This decline highlighted a significant gender gap and was tracked primarily using data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which became an annual exercise in 2017-18.
The FLFPR connects directly to women's economic empowerment and India's potential GDP growth trajectory. A low rate is reflected in the Global Gender Gap Report, where India ranked 131 in 2025 for Economic Participation and Opportunity. It also relates to the high informality of women's work, with over 90% of working women in the informal sector.
The trend has changed recently, with a significant resurgence since 2017-18. The all-India FLFPR rose from 24.5% in 2018-19 to 37% in 2022-23. The most dramatic change was in rural areas, where the rate surged from 24.6% in 2017-18 to 41.5% in 2022-23, a growth of almost 69%. This recent rise contrasts with the "secular decline" observed between 2004-05 and 2017-18.