Exploring Gender Disparities in Workforce Participations Among Youth in India

This study investigates gender disparities in workforce participation among youth in India, utilizing secondary data from the Periodic Labor Force Survey (PLFS) for the years 2017–2018 and 2020–2021. By comparing pre-COVID and post-COVID data, the research examines key indicators such as age-wise work participation, rural versus urban analysis, social category-wise workforce participation, gender-wise workforce participation, and education level-wise workforce participation. The analysis reveals significant gender disparities, with low female labor force participation rates and substantial variation across different employment categories. A considerable proportion of both men and women are engaged in the informal sector. The findings emphasize that gender equality is crucial for economic development, as lower female labor force participation and limited entrepreneurial activities of youths hinder economic growth.