Women employed more than men in manufacturing jobs in urban India; MOSPI

  • Industry News
  • Aug 13,24
In rural India, women continue to dominate the agriculture sector, with 76.2% of rural female workers employed in agriculture compared to 49.1% of rural male workers.
Women employed more than men in manufacturing jobs in urban India; MOSPI

The latest ‘Women and Men in India, 2023’ report by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) reveals that women in urban India are more prominently employed in manufacturing (23.9%) and other services (40.1%) compared to their male counterparts. 
In contrast, urban males are more concentrated in sectors like construction (12.6%), trade, hotels, and restaurants (26.5%), and transport, storage, and communications (13.2%). The report highlights that, unexpectedly, a higher proportion of urban women are engaged in manufacturing than urban men, though no explanation is provided.

In rural India, women continue to dominate the agriculture sector, with 76.2% of rural female workers employed in agriculture compared to 49.1% of rural male workers. Despite this, the report underscores ongoing barriers that women face in entering the labor market and securing quality employment.

The report advocates for strategic measures to bridge the gender gap, such as improved incentive mechanisms, targeted training programs, job reservations, and the creation of safe workplace environments to support increased female workforce participation.
The report also notes that women generally earn less than men, with the disparity more pronounced in urban areas. For example, during the April-June quarter of 2023, the average wage for rural male casual workers was Rs 416, compared to Rs 287 for rural female workers. Similarly, urban male casual workers earned Rs 515 on average, while urban female casual workers earned Rs 333.

In terms of employment status, a higher proportion of women (71%) than men (58.8%) are self-employed. However, 43.1% of rural females work as helpers in household enterprises compared to 11% of males. In urban areas, 50.8% of female workers are in regular wage/salary employment, compared to 47.1% of male workers.

The female unemployment rate in rural areas is lower (1.8%) compared to males (2.8%). However, in urban areas, the female unemployment rate is higher (7.5%) than that of males (4.7%). The report suggests that fewer females seek work in rural areas due to more opportunities in agriculture and informal sectors, which are less available in urban settings. The highest urban unemployment rates are observed among women aged 15-29, followed by their male counterparts in the same age group.

(Business Standard)

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