A recent survey reveals that 58% of establishments in India’s manufacturing sector were headed by female proprietors in the 2023-24 period, marking a significant 4 percentage point increase from the previous year. This data comes from the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), which also highlights the growing presence of female workers across various sectors.

Key Insights from the ASUSE 2023-24

  • 28.1% of the total workforce in unincorporated sector enterprises were female, with female workers comprising 33.7% of the workforce in own-account enterprises (OAEs).
  • The share of establishments headed by female proprietors rose to 26.2% in 2023-24, up from 22.9% in the previous year. Other services saw a similar increase, with female-led establishments rising from 9.7% to 14.2%.
  • The participation of female workers in manufacturing was the highest at 46.5%, followed by other services (22.5%) and trade (19.21%).

Regional Trends

  • West Bengal leads with the highest share of female workers at 12.7%, followed by Uttar Pradesh (10.4%) and Maharashtra (9.7%).
  • Notably, West Bengal and Maharashtra have the largest share of female workers in the rural and urban sectors, respectively, with around 16% and 13% of female workers.

Women in Proprietorships and Sector Growth

The survey also revealed that approximately one in four proprietary establishments nationwide is female-owned. In states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, and West Bengal, about one-third of the proprietary establishments are headed by women. This trend highlights the increasing involvement of women in entrepreneurial activities across different regions.

Sector Performance and Employment Growth

The ASUSE survey shows that the unincorporated non-agricultural sector has been growing steadily, with the number of establishments increasing by 12.8% between October 2023 and September 2024, and overall employment rising by 10.1% in the same period. This sector is crucial to India’s economy, providing job opportunities and contributing significantly to the country’s GDP.

As the female workforce continues to grow, the sector’s ability to absorb a diverse range of individuals and offer varied employment opportunities further solidifies its importance in the broader economic landscape.

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