Women Workers in India: Why So Few Among So Many?

Author/Editor:

Miss Sonali Das ; Sonali Jain-Chandra ; Kalpana Kochhar ; Naresh Kumar

Publication Date:

March 16, 2015

Electronic Access:

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Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

This paper examines the determinants of female labor force participation in India, against the backdrop of India having one of the lowest participation rates for women among peer countries. Using extensive Indian household survey data, we model the labor force participation choices of women, conditional on demographic characteristics and education, as well as looking at the influence of state-level labor market flexibility and other state policies. Our main finding is that a number of policy initiatives can help boost female economic participation in the states of India, including increased labor market flexibility, investment in infrastructure, and enhanced social spending.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2015/055

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

March 16, 2015

ISBN/ISSN:

9781498315005/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2015055

Pages:

31

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