The TeamLease report ‘No Women Left Behind 2.0.’ reveals that about 41.3% of women in contractual roles hold a graduation degree, while 28.5% have completed 12th grade. A smaller percentage have 10th-grade education (18.8%), with postgraduates (10.2%) and diploma & ITI holders (1.2%) making up the rest. This indicates that most women in employment have at least a higher secondary or graduate-level education, contributing to a skilled talent pool actively engaged in various industries.
Encouragingly, women’s enrollment in higher education, particularly in STEM, has grown by 23% over the past decade, driving greater inclusion in high-skill industries. Retail (29.8%), IT (20.7%), and financial services (18.9%) lead in employing women in contractual roles, while sectors like manufacturing (10.8%), power & energy (5%), and telecom (4%) see lower representation, underscoring the need for greater gender inclusion.
Regionally, employment opportunities for women, especially in contractual roles, are concentrated in metropolitan and industrial hubs with Maharashtra (28.7%) leading, followed by Tamil Nadu (14.2%) and Karnataka (14.1%). States like Telangana (7.8%), Gujarat (7.2%), and Uttar Pradesh (6.6%) also contribute significantly. While urban centers drive employment, the report highlights the potential to expand opportunities in tier-2 and tier-3 cities for broader workforce inclusion.
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The female contractual workforce is predominantly young, with 62.2% of women aged between 18 and 27, while 29.4% fall between 28 and 37 years of age. Participation sharply declines in later stages, with 6.6% in the 38-47 age group and only 1.9% beyond 48 years. This trend highlights the strong presence of young professionals in contractual roles, while older age groups see reduced participation, reflecting the evolving nature of workforce engagement across different career stages.
The salary growth for women in the contractual workforce has shown steady improvement from FY20 to FY24. Starting from an average salary of ₹17,433 in FY20, the figure increased to ₹20,164 by FY24, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 3.71% over four years. This positive trend underscores the growing recognition of women’s contributions to the workforce, pointing to opportunities for further progress toward gender pay parity and career advancement.
Commenting on the report, Kartik Narayan, CEO – Staffing, TeamLease Services, said, “Women’s workforce participation in India shows a clear divide across education levels. Those with minimal or high education are more actively engaged, while mid-level graduates follow distinct employment patterns. However, contractual employment has emerged as a key enabler, particularly for women aged 18 to 37, providing critical access to diverse industries, skilling opportunities, and financial stability. As India aims to increase female workforce participation to 70%, strengthening the contractual workforce ecosystem through targeted skilling programs, career transition support, and industry initiatives will be essential. By fostering structured career growth and reducing barriers, we can create a more inclusive and economically empowered workforce for women across all backgrounds.”
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