UP Sees Sharp Rise in Women’s Workforce Participation
•February 17, 2026
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Why It Matters
The rise expands the state’s labour pool, driving economic growth and setting a precedent for gender‑inclusive policies across India.
Key Takeaways
- •Female participation rose to 36% in 2023‑24.
- •Gap with national rate narrowed to 9 points.
- •Mission Shakti drives safety and job access.
- •Women now allowed in all factory categories.
- •Over 1 million SHGs link 10 million women.
Pulse Analysis
India’s female labour force participation has long lagged behind global averages, hovering around 45 percent nationally in 2023‑24. Uttar Pradesh, home to more than 200 million people, recorded a jump from 14 percent in 2017‑18 to 36 percent this year, a 22‑point surge that reshapes the state’s demographic dividend. This rise reflects not only demographic pressure but also a shifting cultural narrative that increasingly values women’s economic contribution. As the most populous state, Uttar Pradesh’s progress can influence national employment trends and set a benchmark for other regions still struggling with gender gaps.
The acceleration stems from targeted government programmes, most notably Mission Shakti, which couples safety protocols with skill development and market linkages. Recent regulatory changes now permit women to work in all 29 previously hazardous factory categories, provided strict health and safety standards are met, and they may also take night shifts if employers guarantee transport, food and security. These reforms have already translated into measurable outcomes: women constitute 53 percent of e‑Shram portal registrations and 34.65 percent of the construction workforce. By unlocking traditionally male‑dominated sectors, the state expands both the supply of labour and the pool of consumer demand.
Beyond immediate employment, the formation of more than one million self‑help groups connects over ten million women to micro‑enterprise opportunities, fostering entrepreneurship and financial resilience. The combined effect of higher participation rates and entrepreneurial activity is expected to boost Uttar Pradesh’s GDP growth, attract private investment, and improve household incomes. However, sustaining momentum will require continued enforcement of safety standards, access to affordable childcare, and upskilling initiatives that match industry needs. If these conditions are met, the state could close the remaining gap with the national average and become a model for inclusive economic development across India.
UP sees sharp rise in women’s workforce participation
Uttar Pradesh has recorded a significant increase in female labour force participation, with the rate climbing from 14 per cent in 2017-18 to 36 per cent in 2023-24, according to recent government data based on the Women Economic Empowerment Index.
The jump of 22 percentage points is being viewed as more than a numerical gain. This reflects a gradual shift in social attitudes and economic opportunities, as more women enter diverse sectors and contribute actively to the state’s growth.
Despite the progress, the state still trails the national female labour force participation rate, which stood at 45 per cent in 2023-24. However, the gap has narrowed considerably. In 2017-18, Uttar Pradesh lagged far behind the national average of 25 per cent, signalling that the latest figures represent steady improvement.
The government attributes the change to a series of policy measures designed to prioritise women’s empowerment. Initiatives focused on safety, employment access and industrial inclusion have been central to this effort. Among the key programmes highlighted is Mission Shakti, which aims to strengthen security and expand opportunities for women across the state.
In a notable reform, the administration has permitted women to work across all 29 factory categories that were previously considered hazardous. The decision is subject to strict health and safety compliance, with employers required to create secure workplaces.
Women have also been allowed to take up night shifts, provided companies ensure transportation, food, rest areas and adequate security. The move is expected to expand employment prospects in industries that operate around the clock.
Departmental data further shows that women account for 53 per cent of registrations on the e-Shram portal, while they make up 34.65 per cent of the construction workforce.
Additionally, the formation of more than one million self-help groups has connected over ten million women to livelihood opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and financial independence in both rural and urban regions.
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