New Delhi: India is undergoing a seismic shift in its economic landscape, propelled by an unprecedented surge in female workforce participation. The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data reveals that the Women’s Work Participation Rate (WPR) has nearly doubled, soaring from 22% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24. Alongside this, the female unemployment rate has plummeted from 5.6% to 3.2% over the same period, signaling a robust expansion of job opportunities for women. As India sets its sights on achieving 70% female workforce participation by 2047 to realize Viksit Bharat, this milestone underscores a transformative shift from women’s development to women-led development, with Nari Shakti emerging as the backbone of the nation’s economic future.
Unprecedented Growth in Female Employment
The PLFS data highlights remarkable progress, particularly in rural areas, where female employment has surged by 96%. Urban regions have also seen significant gains, with a 43% increase in female employment during the same period. This rural-urban disparity reflects the success of targeted government initiatives aimed at empowering women across diverse socio-economic contexts.
The employability of female graduates has improved significantly, rising from 42% in 2013 to 47.53% in 2024. For women with postgraduate education and above, the WPR has climbed from 34.5% in 2017-18 to 40% in 2023-24. According to the India Skills Report 2025, 55% of Indian graduates are expected to be globally employable in 2025, up from 51.2% in 2024, signaling a bright future for women in the global job market.
In the formal sector, Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) payroll data shows that 1.56 crore women have joined the workforce over the past seven years. Meanwhile, the e-Shram portal has registered over 16.69 crore women unorganized workers as of August 2025, granting them access to critical government welfare schemes. These figures underscore a concerted effort to integrate women into both formal and informal sectors, fostering inclusivity and economic self-reliance.
Women-Led Entrepreneurship: A Catalyst for Economic Growth
Female entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of India’s economic transformation. Female self-employment has grown by 30%, from 51.9% in 2017-18 to 67.4% in 2023-24, embodying the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. This growth is supported by a 429% increase in gender budgets over the past decade, rising from ₹0.85 lakh crore in FY 2013-14 (Revised Estimates) to ₹4.49 lakh crore in FY 2025-26. These funds fuel over 70 central schemes across 15 ministries and more than 400 state-level programs dedicated to fostering female entrepreneurship.
Programs like Startup India have created a vibrant ecosystem, with nearly 50% of DPIIT-registered startups—74,410 out of over 1.54 lakh—having at least one woman director. Initiatives such as Namo Drone Didi and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) are equipping women with resources and skills for sustainable progress. Around two crore women have achieved the status of Lakhpati Didi, symbolizing financial independence and entrepreneurial success.
Access to finance is pivotal. Under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PM MUDRA), women have received 68% of total loans, amounting to over 35.38 crore loans worth ₹14.72 lakh crore. Similarly, 44% of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) are women, empowering street vendors and promoting financial inclusion across urban and rural areas.
Women-Led MSMEs: Powering Job Creation
The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector exemplifies women’s growing influence in India’s economy. The number of women-led MSMEs has nearly doubled, from 1 crore in 2010-11 to 1.92 crore in 2023-24, generating over 89 lakh additional jobs for women between FY 2021 and FY 2023. The share of women-owned proprietary establishments has surged from 17.4% in 2010-11 to 26.2% in 2023-24, highlighting women’s critical role in economic expansion.
These enterprises are not only creating jobs but also driving innovation and resilience. The government’s focus on education, skill development, and entrepreneurship is enabling women to lead in sectors ranging from agriculture to technology, positioning them as key drivers of India’s economic growth.
Paradigm Shift: From Women’s Development to Women-Led Development
Historically, women’s development programs focused on aiding women without their active involvement in planning or implementation. The current paradigm shift towards women-led development recognizes women as leaders, decision-makers, and innovators. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government is fostering an inclusive ecosystem that empowers women through education, skill development, and equal opportunities.
As highlighted in a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release on August 25, 2025, women are breaking traditional barriers, emerging as rural entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and innovators. Ensuring 70% female workforce participation by 2047 is a critical pillar for achieving Viksit Bharat, and this vision is being realized through strategic policies and programs.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Despite these achievements, challenges persist. India’s labour-intensive sectors face potential disruptions, such as U.S. tariffs on handicraft exports and a projected 70% export collapse, as noted by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI). However, India’s economy remains resilient, with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) crossing ₹15 lakh crore in public procurement and IPO funding reaching ₹15,200 crore in August 2025.
Moreover, 83% of Indian professionals believe human intuition remains irreplaceable despite AI advances, highlighting the enduring value of women’s contributions in innovation and leadership. The government’s focus on education, skill development, and entrepreneurship will continue to empower women to navigate these challenges and drive sustainable growth.
Conclusion: Nari Shakti Leading India’s Economic Future
India’s female workforce participation has surged from 22% to 40.3%, marking a transformative era of women-led development. With rural employment growing by 96%, urban by 43%, and self-employment rising by 30%, women are at the forefront of economic progress. From leading startups and MSMEs to benefiting from financial inclusion schemes like PM MUDRA and PM SVANidhi, Nari Shakti is steering India towards Viksit Bharat.
As the government prioritizes 70% female participation by 2047 and ensures inclusive data collection for PVTGs, India is poised to become a global leader in gender-inclusive growth. This economic renaissance, driven by empowered women, is a testament to the transformative power of Nari Shakti in shaping India’s future.
FAQs
1. What is the current female workforce participation rate in India, and how has it changed in recent years?
The Women’s Work Participation Rate (WPR) in India has risen from 22% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). This near-doubling reflects significant growth in employment opportunities, with rural areas seeing a 96% increase and urban areas a 43% rise. The female unemployment rate also dropped from 5.6% to 3.2% during this period.
2. How is the Indian government supporting women-led entrepreneurship?
The government has increased gender budgets by 429% over the past decade, from ₹0.85 lakh crore in FY 2013-14 to ₹4.49 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, funding over 70 central and 400 state-level schemes for female entrepreneurship. Programs like Startup India (with 50% of DPIIT-registered startups having a woman director), PM Mudra Yojana (68% of loans to women), and PM SVANidhi (44% women beneficiaries) are key drivers. Initiatives like Namo Drone Didi and NRLM further empower women, with two crore achieving Lakhpati Didi status.
3. What role do women-led MSMEs play in India’s economy?
Women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have nearly doubled from 1 crore in 2010-11 to 1.92 crore in 2023-24, generating over 89 lakh jobs for women between FY 2021 and FY 2023. The share of women-owned proprietary establishments has grown from 17.4% to 26.2%, making MSMEs a critical driver of economic expansion and job creation.
4. How does India’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 relate to female workforce participation?
Achieving 70% female workforce participation by 2047 is a key pillar of Viksit Bharat, India’s vision for comprehensive development. The shift from women’s development to women-led development emphasizes women as leaders and innovators. With 1.56 crore women joining the formal workforce and 16.69 crore registered on e-Shram, government initiatives are fostering an inclusive ecosystem to empower Nari Shakti for national progress.
