The invisible economy of unpaid care work in India—how women are kept out of the workforce
10-07-2026
India’s low female labour force participation is driven not only by skills gaps or social norms but also by the unequal burden of unpaid care work. Women spend substantially more time than men on childcare, eldercare, and domestic responsibilities, limiting their access to paid employment. Although official statistics indicate rising female labour force participation, much of this increase is concentrated in informal, self-employed, or unpaid work, particularly in rural areas. The article argues that meaningful economic inclusion requires recognising care as essential infrastructure and investing in accessible childcare, eldercare, and supportive labour policies that enable women to participate in the workforce on equitable terms.
