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Exploring the Feminization Hypothesis: An Empirical Study on India

  • Rashi Mathur Rashi Mathur Catastrophe Risk Analyst Catastrophe Risk Analyst – Aon India ,  
  • Namita Kapoor Namita Kapoor Associate Professor Amity University Uttar Pradesh India
Received: May 14, 2025
Accepted: June 03, 2025
Published: June 23, 2025
Volume: 1 (1) | Page: 31-44

Abstract

India's economy has grown a lot in the last 25 years. The economy has changed a lot, more people are going to school, and more people are moving to cities. The number of women working has been going down quickly throughout the same time period. What do women's economic actions have to do with economic growth? Does the sort of growth important when it comes to getting more women to work, or is growth enough? This study looks at the Feminisation Hypothesis, which is also known as the U-shaped hypothesis of the Female Labour Force Participation Rate, in the context of India. The theory says that there is a U-shaped link between a country's economic growth and the number of women who work. The paper looks at the several factors that affect the Female Labour Force Participation Rate in India. It then uses Gretl to create an econometric model based on World Bank data from the previous 20 years (1990–2020). The results show that there are no significant links between economic growth and the Female Labour Force Participation Rate. This means that the feminisation hypothesis in India is not true, which is different from what other research have shown in other areas of the globe. If India wants to make the most of its impending demographic dividend, these results will be invaluable in formulating policies that encourage more women to enter the workforce.

Keywords: Female Labour Force Participation Rate, Feminization, U shape, Economic Development

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