The average literacy rate for females worldwide is 79.9%, in comparison to 89.2% for males. India lingers behind at 62.3% for women compared to 80% for men. As girls remain uneducated, it becomes more difficult for them to enter the workforce, and consequently, women often find themselves in challenging financial situations. If mothers remain uneducated, it is likely to have a negative impact on their children’s education. Thus, educational disparities have become a cyclical, intergenerational issue.
The percentage distribution of persons in the 5-29 age group who dropped out or discontinued education is highest for the 16-24 age group at 55.4% (with males at 53.6% and females at 57.4%). (Women and Men in India (A statistical compilation of Gender-related Indicators in India) 2020, 22nd Issue). The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls in higher education stands at 29.1% (source: Government of India, Ministry of Education report, dated July 2023).
According to a 2018 World Bank report, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) among females in India was 26.97%. The world average stood at 48.47 per cent in 2018. In April 2025, the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for females aged 15 and above in rural areas was 38.2%. In urban areas, the labour force participation rate (LFPR) for females in the same age group was 25.7%. These figures are significantly lower than the LFPR for males in both rural (79.0%) and urban (75.3%) areas. (Source: Periodic Labour Force Survey, Monthly Bulletin April 2025)
India has witnessed a significant rise in self-employment in recent years, with more individuals embracing entrepreneurial pursuits and flexible work options. According to the Economic Survey 2025, the share of self-employed workers increased from 52.2% in 2017-18 to 58.4% in 2023-24. However, a notable gender disparity remains, as self-employed women earn only a third of what men make, highlighting concerns over income inequality and economic fairness.
Despite a substantial rise in the number of women entering self-employment, their earnings continue to lag behind.
