Drivers behind the Choice of Sector of Activity by Women in Uttar Pradesh: Examining NSSO & PLFS Data

By : Nomita P. Kumar , Achala Srivastava

Page No: 272-291

Abstract
This paper is based on different rounds of National Sample Survey Organization data from 1993–94 to the recent PLFS (2017-18) unit level data to elaborate on the patterns and trends of female labour-force participation in Uttar Pradesh’s labour market. It charts the extent of the recent downward plunge in Female Labour-force Participation Rates (FLPR) and estimates the contribution of various demographic and socioeconomic factors affecting their participation in the labour market. An analysis of the data reveals that female labour force participation dropped between 2004-05 to 2017–18 in rural areas (14.9 percent points) and in urban areas during the same period (6.4 percent points). It develops a multinomial regression model based on unit level data from the NSSO to comprehend factors that influence the choice of employment in both informal and formal labour markets in Uttar Pradesh. The variables selected for the analysis are income deciles, social groups, religion, educational level, age, and household size, as these are the drivers of the decisions pertaining to the choice of sectors whether informal or formal. Informal workers include unpaid family workers, self-employed, and casual wage workers. Women in the age group 15-59 were studied to ascertain their choice of economic activities.

Authors :
Nomita P. Kumar
Assistant Professor, Giri Institute of Development Studies, Lucknow.

Achala Srivastava
Senior Research Associate, Giri Institute of Development Studies, Lucknow.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/PROD.2021.62.03.7