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Changing Trends in Female Labour Force Participation in India:
An Age–Period–Cohort Analysis |
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Sandhya Rani Mahapatro |
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Despite rapid economic growth coupled with benefi ts of the demographic dividend, evidence
from both the NSSO 66th and 68th Rounds reveals a decline in female labour force
participation in India. This decline is diffi cult to explain in terms of economic variables as
the country is experiencing rapid economic changes. Perhaps the age and cohort factors
or educational and time period advantages might be leading to the postponement of female
labour market participation. This paper attempts to explore the reasons for the decline
in female labour force participation by sorting out the trends into age, period and
cohort effects. In order to study these aspects, a linear regression model has been applied
and the data has been drawn from various NSSO rounds. The empirical estimates suggest
that age and period changes can account for a substantial decline in labour force participation.
The provision of higher education and creation of employment opportunities for
younger cohorts of women would help increase the labour force participation rate in the
near future. |
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