Mission Shakti benefits fuel women’s workforce participation

A slew of reforms, such as maternity and childcare benefits, Mission Shakti, have fostered the continued growth of women’s workforce participation in India, the government said on Monday.

According to data from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) increased from 23.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 41.7 per cent in 2023-24. Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for women aged 15 years and above rose from 22 per cent in 2017-18 to 40.3 per cent in 2023-24, LFPR increased from 23.3 per cent to 41.7 per cent.

“More recently, female WPR rose to 32.0 per cent in August 2025 from 31.6 per cent in July 2025 and 30.2 per cent in June 2025, and female LFPR increased to 33.7 per cent in August 2025 from 33.3 per cent in July 2025 and 32.0 per cent in June 2025,” as per an official statement.

The latest payroll data from the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) also showcases the growing trend of formal employment among women.