India needs more jobs for women to boost growth: World Bank

Published May 30, 2017
Women working in the Indian glass-work industry — File
Women working in the Indian glass-work industry — File

NEW DELHI: India must reverse a trend of falling women’s participation in the job market if it is to achieve its ambition of double-digit growth, the World Bank said on Monday.

India is the world’s fastest growing major economy, but has one of the lowest rates of female employment, a trend that has worsened over the last decade.

The World Bank in its latest report said just 27 per cent of Indian women were working or actively looking for a job, a matter of “serious concern” that was holding back economic growth.

“(A) higher level of women participation in the economy can help propel India closer to double digit growth,” said country director Junaid Ahmad.

The bank said the fundamentals of India’s economy remained strong and the impact of last year’s shock move to take most of the country’s currency out of circulation had been limited.

Inflation remained under control and a strong monsoon last year had boosted agriculture and rural consumption, it said, estimating growth at 6.8pc for the financial year ended March 31 2017.

The government will release its official growth figures for that period on Wednesday.

Just 27pc of women were working or actively looking for a job, says the report

The World Bank report said a new national goods and services tax due to be introduced on July 1 would “yield substantial growth dividends from higher efficiencies” and increase state revenues in the long term.

But it warned India nee­ded to create jobs for the large number of women currently not in the labour market.

“India’s female labour force participation rate is uniquely low for all levels of education,” said senior World Bank economist Frederico Gil Sander.

“Sixty five per cent of Indian women with college degrees are not working, whereas in Bangladesh 41pc and in Indonesia and Brazil only 25pc of women graduates are not working.” Female participation in India’s workforce has declined since 2007, particularly in rural areas.

That is partly because they are staying in education for longer, but even college-educated women are staying out of the workplace — just 34pc of those with a degree are working, the bank said.

Urbanisation has also contributed to the trend because women living in cities are less likely to be in paid work than those in rural areas, where farming provides employment.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2017

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.