This factsheet explores Madhya Pradesh’s economy, contributing 4% to the national GDP with a GSDP of Rs. 8.1 lakh crores. Despite its natural resources, the state ranks among the bottom ten in per capita GSDP. With nearly 20% of the population being Scheduled Tribes, districts like Barwani, Damoh, and Guna experience higher poverty rates, highlighting the challenges faced by MP’s large tribal population.
Publications
Publications
Category
Year
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- November , 2020
- Nidhi Gyan Pandey , Sona Mitra
Located on the southeastern coast of India, Andhra Pradesh is the eighth largest state by area, with 23.5% forest cover and 50.5% land under cultivation. While agriculture employs 60% of the population, it contributes only 32% to the state’s GSDP. Andhra Pradesh is a middle-income state with a high growth rate of 11% in 2018-19. The state’s female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) is significantly higher than the national average, with rural FLFPR at 39% and urban FLFPR at 25.1%. The high rural FLFPR is partly attributed to women’s participation in the MGNREGA programme.
Located on the southeastern coast of India, Andhra Pradesh is the eighth largest state by area, with 23.5% forest cover and 50.5% land under cultivation. While agriculture employs 60% of the population, it contributes only 32% to the state’s GSDP. Andhra Pradesh is a middle-income state with a high growth rate of 11% in 2018-19. The state’s female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) is significantly higher than the national average, with rural FLFPR at 39% and urban FLFPR at 25.1%. The high rural FLFPR is partly attributed to women’s participation in the MGNREGA programme.
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- November , 2020
- Sona Mitra , Hiya Singh Rajput
Madhya Pradesh, known as the heart of India, is the second-largest state by area and rich in natural resources. With a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs. 8.1 lakh crores, MP contributes around 4% to the national GDP. However, the state faces significant challenges, ranking among the bottom ten states in per capita GSDP. Nearly 20% of MP’s population comprises Scheduled Tribes (STs), and districts like Barwani, Damoh, and Guna are among the poorest in the country, reflecting higher poverty rates among the state’s large tribal population.
Madhya Pradesh, known as the heart of India, is the second-largest state by area and rich in natural resources. With a Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rs. 8.1 lakh crores, MP contributes around 4% to the national GDP. However, the state faces significant challenges, ranking among the bottom ten states in per capita GSDP. Nearly 20% of MP’s population comprises Scheduled Tribes (STs), and districts like Barwani, Damoh, and Guna are among the poorest in the country, reflecting higher poverty rates among the state’s large tribal population.
Working Paper
Understanding the Market Landscape and Enterprise Readiness for Women-led Home-based Businesses in Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan
- November , 2020
- RIGZOM WANGCHUK, RIA DUTTA
This document is not a priced publication. Copyright @ 2020 Initiative for What Works to Advance Women and Girls in the Economy (IWWAGE), an initiative of LEAD at Krea University. Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purpose is authorised, without prior written permission, provided the source is fully acknowledged. For further information, please write to communications@iwwage. org. This publication was possible with the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The findings and conclusions in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
This document is not a priced publication. Copyright @ 2020 Initiative for What Works to Advance Women and Girls in the Economy (IWWAGE), an initiative of LEAD at Krea University. Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purpose is authorised, without prior written permission, provided the source is fully acknowledged. For further information, please write to communications@iwwage. org. This publication was possible with the generous support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The findings and conclusions in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- November , 2020
- Sona Mitra, Hiya Singh Rajput
In urban areas of Madhya Pradesh, while the rise of women in regular wage work appears to be a positive trend, more in-depth analyses is required on the nature of employment contracts for women. On the positive side, the share of women in own account enterprises is substantially high in MP, more so in urban parts of the state
In urban areas of Madhya Pradesh, while the rise of women in regular wage work appears to be a positive trend, more in-depth analyses is required on the nature of employment contracts for women. On the positive side, the share of women in own account enterprises is substantially high in MP, more so in urban parts of the state
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- November , 2020
- Nidhi Gyan Pandey, Sona Mitra
This factsheet examines Maharashtra’s socio-economic landscape, highlighting its strong economic performance with the highest GSDP in India. Despite this, the state faces gender disparities, with a sex ratio of 958 females per 1,000 males and an urban female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) of just 16.8%. Rural FLFPR is higher, driving the state’s overall rate to 31%, but urban gender inequalities in employment persist.
This factsheet examines Maharashtra’s socio-economic landscape, highlighting its strong economic performance with the highest GSDP in India. Despite this, the state faces gender disparities, with a sex ratio of 958 females per 1,000 males and an urban female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) of just 16.8%. Rural FLFPR is higher, driving the state’s overall rate to 31%, but urban gender inequalities in employment persist.
Factsheet
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- November , 2020
- Nidhi Gyan Pandey, Sona Mitra
This factsheet provides an overview of Andhra Pradesh’s economy, where agriculture employs 60% of the population but contributes 32% to the GSDP. The state’s female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) is notably higher than the national average, with rural FLFPR at 39% and urban at 25.1%, driven in part by women’s participation in the MGNREGA programme.
This factsheet provides an overview of Andhra Pradesh’s economy, where agriculture employs 60% of the population but contributes 32% to the GSDP. The state’s female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) is notably higher than the national average, with rural FLFPR at 39% and urban at 25.1%, driven in part by women’s participation in the MGNREGA programme.
SWAYAM
Community and Institutional Response to COVID-19 in India: Role of Women’s SHG and DAY-NRLM
- October , 2020
- Soumya Kapoor Mehta | Rukmini Tankha
The women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) network promoted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) assumed particular significance during COVID-19 given its tremendous outreach in rural areas, and the trust, social capital and networks enjoyed by women’s institutional platforms of the poor. Women’s SHGs of DAY-NRLM emerged as pivotal actors, leading from the front in crisis response. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a trigger mobilising SHG women to come together to transcend their group identity and contribute through collective action towards crisis management, including helping those in need – thus demonstrating the transformational potential of women’s collectives. As the pandemic and its impacts continue unabated, this juncture can provide the women’s SHG movement in India the unique opportunity to define agendas and priorities that are most relevant to them during the recovery phase. DAY-NRLM can act as a critically important facilitation agency in ensuring this objective in the challenging times ahead. With the objective of recognising the work undertaken by women’s SHGs, and highlighting their indispensable economic and social contribution, the report summarises good practices, strategies and innovations that were spearheaded by SHGs in collaboration with State Rural Livelihoods Missions during the pandemic. This report highlights that economic and social action unleashed by women’s SHGs coupled with existing institutional investments, mechanisms and collaborations forged by DAY-NRLM and SRLMs can help in developing decentralised, participatory and context-specific local solutions amid any crisis.
The women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) network promoted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) assumed particular significance during COVID-19 given its tremendous outreach in rural areas, and the trust, social capital and networks enjoyed by women’s institutional platforms of the poor. Women’s SHGs of DAY-NRLM emerged as pivotal actors, leading from the front in crisis response. The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a trigger mobilising SHG women to come together to transcend their group identity and contribute through collective action towards crisis management, including helping those in need – thus demonstrating the transformational potential of women’s collectives. As the pandemic and its impacts continue unabated, this juncture can provide the women’s SHG movement in India the unique opportunity to define agendas and priorities that are most relevant to them during the recovery phase. DAY-NRLM can act as a critically important facilitation agency in ensuring this objective in the challenging times ahead. With the objective of recognising the work undertaken by women’s SHGs, and highlighting their indispensable economic and social contribution, the report summarises good practices, strategies and innovations that were spearheaded by SHGs in collaboration with State Rural Livelihoods Missions during the pandemic. This report highlights that economic and social action unleashed by women’s SHGs coupled with existing institutional investments, mechanisms and collaborations forged by DAY-NRLM and SRLMs can help in developing decentralised, participatory and context-specific local solutions amid any crisis.
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation In India: Statewise Trends
- October , 2020
Madhya Pradesh (MP) is the only state in India to have witnessed a rise in workforce participation rates (WPRs) of women in both rural and urban areas between 2011-12 and 2017-18. The increase in women’s WPR in MP was driven largely by increase in self-employment in the rural areas and regular employment in the urban areas. According to the Periodic Labourforce Survey in 2017-18, more than half of the female workforce in the state is self-employed, with a higher incidence of self-employment in rural areas. While approximately 88 percent of the rural self-employed women in MP are engaged in unpaid work, the share of women in own account enterprises is substantially high in urban MP. The distribution of casual women workers suggests very few women engaged under MGNREGA and other public works as 96 percent women in casual employment were engaged in non-public works, with very little security or guarantee of payment
Madhya Pradesh (MP) is the only state in India to have witnessed a rise in workforce participation rates (WPRs) of women in both rural and urban areas between 2011-12 and 2017-18. The increase in women’s WPR in MP was driven largely by increase in self-employment in the rural areas and regular employment in the urban areas. According to the Periodic Labourforce Survey in 2017-18, more than half of the female workforce in the state is self-employed, with a higher incidence of self-employment in rural areas. While approximately 88 percent of the rural self-employed women in MP are engaged in unpaid work, the share of women in own account enterprises is substantially high in urban MP. The distribution of casual women workers suggests very few women engaged under MGNREGA and other public works as 96 percent women in casual employment were engaged in non-public works, with very little security or guarantee of payment
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- October , 2020
- Nidhi Gyan Pandey
Odisha, located on India’s eastern coastline, is rich in natural resources with forests covering 33.2% of its area. The state’s economy is largely agro-based, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors providing around 50% of employment. Despite frequent cyclones and floods that impact livelihoods, Odisha’s service, industrial, and mining sectors contribute significantly to its GSDP. With a large tribal population, tribal women play a key role in forest produce collection and handicraft industries. Female labour force participation in Odisha remains low, with rural and urban FLFPRs below the national average at 15.2% and 13.4%, respectively.
Odisha, located on India’s eastern coastline, is rich in natural resources with forests covering 33.2% of its area. The state’s economy is largely agro-based, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors providing around 50% of employment. Despite frequent cyclones and floods that impact livelihoods, Odisha’s service, industrial, and mining sectors contribute significantly to its GSDP. With a large tribal population, tribal women play a key role in forest produce collection and handicraft industries. Female labour force participation in Odisha remains low, with rural and urban FLFPRs below the national average at 15.2% and 13.4%, respectively.
Learning note
Women’s Workforce Participation in India: Statewise Trends
- October , 2020
- Nidhi Gyan Pandey , Sona Mitra
Gujarat, one of India’s most industrially advanced states, is a hub for textile manufacturing and diamond trade with a high GSDP per capita of Rs 1,65,414. Despite its economic strengths, Gujarat faces significant challenges in social development. The state has a low sex ratio (866 females per 1,000 males) and high rates of under-nutrition, with 55% of women aged 15-49 being anaemic. Education indicators also lag behind national averages, and gender inequality in the labour market is prevalent. The female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) stands at 16.9%, below the national average, with large gender disparities in both rural and urban areas. This factsheet explores key economic and social indicators for Gujarat in 2020.
Gujarat, one of India’s most industrially advanced states, is a hub for textile manufacturing and diamond trade with a high GSDP per capita of Rs 1,65,414. Despite its economic strengths, Gujarat faces significant challenges in social development. The state has a low sex ratio (866 females per 1,000 males) and high rates of under-nutrition, with 55% of women aged 15-49 being anaemic. Education indicators also lag behind national averages, and gender inequality in the labour market is prevalent. The female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) stands at 16.9%, below the national average, with large gender disparities in both rural and urban areas. This factsheet explores key economic and social indicators for Gujarat in 2020.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in Gujrat
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary and Bidisha Mondal
Gujarat records a female labour force participation rate above the national average, supported by government policies promoting women’s economic empowerment. Schemes such as Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkars Yojana and Mahila Swavalamban Scheme strengthen financial inclusion, self-help groups, and access to credit for women, especially those below the poverty line. The state also promotes women’s entrepreneurship through targeted training and awareness programmes. Using PLFS 2023–24 data, this factsheet examines women’s employment in Gujarat, focusing on job types, sectoral distribution, and key indicators shaping female workforce participation.
Gujarat records a female labour force participation rate above the national average, supported by government policies promoting women’s economic empowerment. Schemes such as Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkars Yojana and Mahila Swavalamban Scheme strengthen financial inclusion, self-help groups, and access to credit for women, especially those below the poverty line. The state also promotes women’s entrepreneurship through targeted training and awareness programmes. Using PLFS 2023–24 data, this factsheet examines women’s employment in Gujarat, focusing on job types, sectoral distribution, and key indicators shaping female workforce participation.
Gujarat records a female labour force participation rate above the national average, supported by government policies promoting women’s economic empowerment. Schemes such as Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkars Yojana and Mahila Swavalamban Scheme strengthen financial inclusion, self-help groups, and access to credit for women, especially those below the poverty line. The state also promotes women’s entrepreneurship through targeted training and awareness programmes. Using PLFS 2023–24 data, this factsheet examines women’s employment in Gujarat, focusing on job types, sectoral distribution, and key indicators shaping female workforce participation.
Factsheet
Trend in Female Labour Force Participation in Chhattisgarh
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary and Bidisha Mondal
Chhattisgarh records a significantly higher female labour force participation rate than the national average, particularly in rural areas, with rising women’s participation evident since before 2016. Tribal women participate in the labour market at much higher rates than non-tribal women, but most are engaged in self-employment, with a large share working as unpaid family workers. While schemes such as Mahila Kosh and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission aim to promote women’s financial independence, the dominance of unpaid work highlights the need for a deeper examination of labour market conditions and opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records a significantly higher female labour force participation rate than the national average, particularly in rural areas, with rising women’s participation evident since before 2016. Tribal women participate in the labour market at much higher rates than non-tribal women, but most are engaged in self-employment, with a large share working as unpaid family workers. While schemes such as Mahila Kosh and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission aim to promote women’s financial independence, the dominance of unpaid work highlights the need for a deeper examination of labour market conditions and opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records a significantly higher female labour force participation rate than the national average, particularly in rural areas, with rising women’s participation evident since before 2016. Tribal women participate in the labour market at much higher rates than non-tribal women, but most are engaged in self-employment, with a large share working as unpaid family workers. While schemes such as Mahila Kosh and the National Rural Livelihoods Mission aim to promote women’s financial independence, the dominance of unpaid work highlights the need for a deeper examination of labour market conditions and opportunities for women in the state.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in Assam
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary, Vidhi and Bidisha Mondal
Assam has seen a notable rise in female labour force participation since 2021–22, exceeding the national average. However, data for 2022–23 shows an unusually wide gender gap and the lowest recorded female participation, largely due to an NSSO enumeration error that led to underreporting. In recent years, the state has introduced several pro-women initiatives focused on self-employment, skill development, and access to credit, which are expected to support higher female participation. Updated PLFS data will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends in women’s employment in Assam.
Assam has seen a notable rise in female labour force participation since 2021–22, exceeding the national average. However, data for 2022–23 shows an unusually wide gender gap and the lowest recorded female participation, largely due to an NSSO enumeration error that led to underreporting. In recent years, the state has introduced several pro-women initiatives focused on self-employment, skill development, and access to credit, which are expected to support higher female participation. Updated PLFS data will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends in women’s employment in Assam.
Assam has seen a notable rise in female labour force participation since 2021–22, exceeding the national average. However, data for 2022–23 shows an unusually wide gender gap and the lowest recorded female participation, largely due to an NSSO enumeration error that led to underreporting. In recent years, the state has introduced several pro-women initiatives focused on self-employment, skill development, and access to credit, which are expected to support higher female participation. Updated PLFS data will provide a clearer picture of emerging trends in women’s employment in Assam.
Factsheet
Trend In Female Labour Force and Workforce Participation- Telangana
- April , 2025
- Vidhi and Bidisha Mondal
Telangana has emerged as a major industrial and services-led economy, with GSDP growing nearly 197% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Services contribute about two-thirds of GSVA, while industry has achieved near gender parity in employment due to targeted policy interventions. Agriculture remains a key employer, engaging 45.8% of the population but contributing a smaller share to GSDP. Women are largely concentrated in agriculture, while men dominate services. This factsheet examines trends in female labour force participation in Telangana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, focusing on sectoral distribution, occupational segregation, and workforce barriers.
Telangana has emerged as a major industrial and services-led economy, with GSDP growing nearly 197% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Services contribute about two-thirds of GSVA, while industry has achieved near gender parity in employment due to targeted policy interventions. Agriculture remains a key employer, engaging 45.8% of the population but contributing a smaller share to GSDP. Women are largely concentrated in agriculture, while men dominate services. This factsheet examines trends in female labour force participation in Telangana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, focusing on sectoral distribution, occupational segregation, and workforce barriers.
Telangana has emerged as a major industrial and services-led economy, with GSDP growing nearly 197% between 2014–15 and 2023–24. Services contribute about two-thirds of GSVA, while industry has achieved near gender parity in employment due to targeted policy interventions. Agriculture remains a key employer, engaging 45.8% of the population but contributing a smaller share to GSDP. Women are largely concentrated in agriculture, while men dominate services. This factsheet examines trends in female labour force participation in Telangana from 2017–18 to 2023–24, focusing on sectoral distribution, occupational segregation, and workforce barriers.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour and Workforce Participation- Meghalaya
- April , 2025
- Aneek Chowdhury, Bidisha Mondal
Meghalaya’s FLFPR is significantly higher than the average for India and many other states. Although the proportion of self-employed women has risen in both rural and urban areas, the overwhelming majority (over 75 per cent) are own-account workers. The report highlights the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in Meghalaya compared to other states in the country and delve into the specific data and factors influencing this FLFPR.
Meghalaya’s FLFPR is significantly higher than the average for India and many other states. Although the proportion of self-employed women has risen in both rural and urban areas, the overwhelming majority (over 75 per cent) are own-account workers. The report highlights the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in Meghalaya compared to other states in the country and delve into the specific data and factors influencing this FLFPR.
Factsheet
Trends in Female Labour and Workforce Participation – Chhattisgarh
- April , 2025
- Aneek Choudhary
Chhattisgarh records significantly higher female labour force participation than the national average (60% vs 42% in PLFS 2023–24), driven mainly by increased involvement of women in agriculture and allied activities since 2016. However, much of this work remains informal, with high shares of self-employment and unpaid family labour (91% in PLFS 2023–24). While schemes like the Mahila Cash and National Rural Livelihoods Mission have expanded women’s self-help groups, these patterns point to the need for deeper analysis of job quality, labour conditions, and meaningful economic opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records significantly higher female labour force participation than the national average (60% vs 42% in PLFS 2023–24), driven mainly by increased involvement of women in agriculture and allied activities since 2016. However, much of this work remains informal, with high shares of self-employment and unpaid family labour (91% in PLFS 2023–24). While schemes like the Mahila Cash and National Rural Livelihoods Mission have expanded women’s self-help groups, these patterns point to the need for deeper analysis of job quality, labour conditions, and meaningful economic opportunities for women in the state.
Chhattisgarh records significantly higher female labour force participation than the national average (60% vs 42% in PLFS 2023–24), driven mainly by increased involvement of women in agriculture and allied activities since 2016. However, much of this work remains informal, with high shares of self-employment and unpaid family labour (91% in PLFS 2023–24). While schemes like the Mahila Cash and National Rural Livelihoods Mission have expanded women’s self-help groups, these patterns point to the need for deeper analysis of job quality, labour conditions, and meaningful economic opportunities for women in the state.