Photo: Kumaravels derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY 2.5 in · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
India: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
India is placed joint 99th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 53.31 (2025); Labour Income Share 61.83 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint99th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place India on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
53.31
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
India: 53.31. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Asia
- 62.73 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 56.57 · Bhutan 62.73 · China 61.57 · Myanmar 53.41 · Nepal 35.14 · Pakistan 49.5
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
4.219
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
India: 4.219. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Asia
- 3.227 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 3.778 · Bhutan 3.227 · China 4.615 · Myanmar 3.047 · Nepal 10.46 · Pakistan 5.42
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
71.58
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
India: 71.58. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Asia
- 16.91 Maldives
- Land neighbours
- Bangladesh 57.35 · Bhutan 69.03 · China 33.4 · Myanmar 62.89 · Nepal 76.98 · Pakistan 55.51
02Over time
Which way India is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
IndiaWorld median
India fell from 55.52 in 2000 to 53.31 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2025 53.31 57.720 2024 53.32 57.694 2023 52.42 58.158 2022 51.00 57.688 2021 49.17 56.066 2020 47.50 55.691 2019 48.88 57.871 2018 48.47 56.911 2017 48.66 56.738 2016 48.83 56.845 2015 48.99 56.788 2014 49.13 56.774 2013 49.27 56.229 2012 49.42 56.289 2011 50.01 56.297 2010 50.59 56.212 2009 51.38 56.255 2008 52.20 57.308 2007 53.08 56.933 2006 53.94 56.685 2005 54.81 56.129 2004 54.93 55.465 2003 55.06 55.630 2002 55.18 55.843 2001 55.36 56.018 2000 55.52 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
IndiaWorld median
India rose from 59.13 in 2004 to 61.83 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2025 61.8 46.230 2024 61.9 46.060 2023 61.1 45.900 2022 62.0 45.615 2021 62.3 45.433 2020 62.6 47.267 2019 60.3 46.277 2018 59.8 46.187 2017 59.0 46.467 2016 58.5 46.798 2015 57.6 46.876 2014 58.6 47.281 2013 57.4 46.887 2012 57.3 46.231 2011 58.1 45.679 2010 59.3 46.024 2009 61.6 47.071 2008 60.0 45.312 2007 54.5 45.246 2006 54.8 45.670 2005 57.2 46.265 2004 59.1 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
IndiaWorld median
India fell from 7.589 in 2000 to 4.219 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2025 4.219 5.08 2024 4.173 5.15 2023 4.172 5.21 2022 4.822 5.34 2021 6.380 6.04 2020 7.859 6.38 2019 6.510 5.36 2018 7.652 5.35 2017 7.626 5.59 2016 7.611 5.90 2015 7.629 6.41 2014 7.656 6.58 2013 7.678 6.71 2012 7.645 6.79 2011 7.609 6.90 2010 7.631 7.04 2009 7.636 6.67 2008 7.629 5.79 2007 7.562 6.00 2006 7.553 6.50 2005 7.551 7.09 2004 7.598 6.80 2003 7.633 6.95 2002 7.681 6.91 2001 7.611 6.96 2000 7.589 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
IndiaWorld median
India fell from 83.72 in 2000 to 71.58 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year India World median 2025 71.58 28.67 2024 72.06 29.04 2023 72.76 29.33 2022 74.00 29.67 2021 74.55 30.01 2020 75.08 30.54 2019 75.20 29.98 2018 75.81 30.15 2017 76.52 29.93 2016 77.22 29.91 2015 77.88 30.26 2014 78.52 30.47 2013 79.09 31.14 2012 79.65 31.00 2011 80.97 31.41 2010 82.31 32.37 2009 82.48 32.59 2008 82.64 31.76 2007 82.74 33.47 2006 82.93 34.27 2005 83.15 34.66 2004 83.31 35.51 2003 83.50 35.90 2002 83.59 35.96 2001 83.68 35.27 2000 83.72 35.67
03In context
India beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
India and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chinacompare | 60th | 61.57 | 51.23 | 4.615 | 33.4 |
 Bhutan | =72nd | 62.73 | 48.31 | 3.227 | 69.03 |
| India | =99th | 53.31 | 61.83 | 4.219 | 71.58 |
 Bangladeshcompare | =103rd | 56.57 | 49.03 | 3.778 | 57.35 |
 Myanmar | 109th | 53.41 | 48.67 | 3.047 | 62.89 |
 Pakistancompare | 136th | 49.5 | 49.83 | 5.42 | 55.51 |
 Nepalcompare | 171st | 35.14 | 48.94 | 10.46 | 76.98 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below India in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where India is ahead of the world, and behind
30 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median4
Statistics on which India does better than the middle country measured.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 9818298▲ Improved since 2015
India: 182 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8118.5541.81No earlier reading
India: 18.55 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 152nd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6819.816.68No earlier reading
India: 19.8 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 58th of 139 · derived.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.8853.5624.885▲ Improved since 2015
India: 3.562 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Behind the world median17
Statistics on which India does worse than the middle country measured.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8316.0212.83▲ Improved since 2015
India: 16.02 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 68th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38424,84247,384▲ Improved since 2015
India: 24,842 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 115th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1610.822.16▲ Improved since 2015
India: 10.8 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 129th of 182 · derived.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6361,0461,636No real change since 2018
India: 1,046 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 55th of 75 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6655.6661.66▲ Improved since 2015
India: 55.66 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 135th of 182 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2309,60725,230No real change since 2010
India: 9,607 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 113th of 151 · derived.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7422,1596,742No real change since 2015
India: 2,159 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 117th of 151 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.8926.1617.89▲ Improved since 2018
India: 26.16 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 16th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.614.451.61▲ Improved since 2015
India: 4.45 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
India: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.4290.337▲ Improved since 2018
India: 0.429 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 15th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.3124.1914.31▲ Improved since 2018
India: 24.19 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 19th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.98.345.9No earlier reading
India: 8.3 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3632.4253.36No real change since 2015
India: 32.42 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 162nd of 182 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.163.8419.16No earlier reading
India: 3.84 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 169th of 179 · derived.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8611.8835.86No real change since 2018
India: 11.88 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 85th of 86 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.072.88232.07No earlier reading
India: 2.882 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
India: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8945.7138.89Moved since 2015
India: 45.71 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 17th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8474.931.84Moved since 2015
India: 74.9 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 27th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3841.6314.38No real change since 2015
India: 41.63 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 37th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8825.8218.88No real change since 2015
India: 25.82 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 40th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4513.1213.45Moved since 2018
India: 13.12 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.017.77415.01No earlier reading
India: 7.774 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 97th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95232.6657.95Moved since 2014
India: 232.6 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5132.5659.51No real change since 2015
India: 32.56 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 166th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for India
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2007), Informal Employment Rate and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among India’s 15 topics
Work & Labour is India’s 8th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Digital & Technology5th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade15th of 1774/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge44th of 1983/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 44th of 1593/3 keys
- Governance & Institutions73rd of 1944/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability85th of 1864/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation86th of 1764/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 99th of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital114th of 1963/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 119th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture111th of 1842/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing150th of 2003/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 140th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality154th of 1834/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience182nd of 1934/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders India can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
Maldives=64th4/4 keysThis page
India=99th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about India and work & labour
About India
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
08Questions
India on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does India rank on work & labour?
India is placed joint 99th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for India?
53.31 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for India?
61.83 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does India compare with China on work & labour?
China is placed 60th of 182, and India joint 99th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: China 61.57, India 53.31; Labour Income Share: China 51.23, India 61.83; Unemployment Rate: China 4.615, India 4.219; Vulnerable Employment: China 33.4, India 71.58.
How have India’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 55.52 in 2000 to 53.31 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 59.13 in 2004 to 61.83 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 7.589 in 2000 to 4.219 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 83.72 in 2000 to 71.58 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for India?
No current reading is published for India on Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Informal Employment Rate and Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 30 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
India’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- India (banner) — Kumaravels derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY 2.5 in
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). India: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/india/work