Only 18% young women in India have paid work: Study
A new study shows that less than half of Indians aged 20-29 are in paid work, just 47%.
The gender gap is striking: while 79% of young men are working, only 18% of women are.
Urban youth have a slight edge over rural when it comes to finding jobs.
Youth employment varies widely by state
Gujarat leads with the highest youth employment at 58%, but Bihar trails far behind at just under 38%.
These numbers highlight how much job opportunities can depend on your state and background.
Informal sector dominates youth employment
Among young adults in paid work, the vast majority are in the informal sector (roughly 80% of employed youth); about 9.5% of all young adults hold formal jobs.
In rural areas, informal work is even more common. For women, especially in villages, formal employment is rare: just over 2% hold such positions.
Young adults' workdays
Young adults typically put in nearly seven hours of paid work daily. Many spend even longer when you count commuting, especially those with formal jobs.
Women also shoulder more unpaid housework than men, adding up to long days for many.