Labour Force Participation — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
India's Female Labour Force Participation Rate Shows Improvement in PLFS 2022-23
September 2023The release of PLFS 2022-23 data showed female LFPR increasing to 25.4% from 23.3% in the previous year, marking the highest level in recent years. This improvement is attributed to increased participation in agriculture, rural development schemes, and gradual social changes. The data also revealed that rural female LFPR (27.7%) continues to be higher than urban female LFPR (21.9%), highlighting the role of agricultural activities and schemes like MGNREGA in providing employment opportunities for women.
UPSC Angle: Expected questions on gender dimensions of employment, effectiveness of rural employment schemes, and policy measures to increase female workforce participation
Gig Economy Workers Demand Social Security Coverage
March 2024The growing gig economy, estimated to employ over 15 million workers in India, has raised questions about how labour force participation is measured and how social security is provided to non-traditional workers. Platform workers in delivery, ride-sharing, and freelance services often fall outside conventional LFPR measurements, highlighting the need for updated survey methodologies and policy frameworks to capture new forms of work.
UPSC Angle: Questions on changing nature of work, measurement challenges in labour statistics, and social security reforms for informal workers