Question

Analyse the main features of the composition of working population in India.

Hint:

When analysing the working population, consider both the changing sectoral contributions and the social challenges like gender and youth unemployment.

Answer 1

The composition of the working population in India is diverse, with various sectors contributing to employment. The key features of India's working population are as follows:
Sectoral Distribution of Employment: \begin{itemize}
A significant proportion of the working population is still employed in the agricultural sector, especially in rural areas. This contributes to a large informal workforce.
The industrial and manufacturing sectors employ a smaller but growing percentage of the working population, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas.
The service sector has seen tremendous growth in recent years, particularly in IT, banking, healthcare, and education, contributing significantly to employment. \end{itemize}
Gender Disparity: The Indian workforce shows a significant gender gap, with fewer women employed compared to men. The participation of women in the workforce has increased over the years, but it is still lower than the global average.
Youth Employment: The youth population in India represents a large portion of the working force. However, youth unemployment is a growing issue, with many young people struggling to find suitable employment opportunities due to a mismatch between skills and market demand.
Unorganised Sector: A significant portion of India's workforce is employed in the unorganised sector, which lacks job security, regular wages, and benefits like healthcare or pensions. This includes small businesses, agriculture, and casual labor.
Increasing Urban Employment: As urbanization grows, more people are finding jobs in cities. These include both skilled and unskilled labor, with significant growth in the informal and gig economy. In conclusion, India’s working population is primarily engaged in agriculture, with growing shifts toward industry and services. However, challenges such as gender disparity, youth unemployment, and informal labor persist, and require targeted policies for improving the employment situation.