An Endeavour to Empirically Verify the ‘Feminisation ‘U’ Hypothesis’ ofFfemale Labour force Participation Rate in India (1991-2016)

Objectives: This paper aims at empirical investigation of the ‘U’ pattern of association between female labour force participation rate in India and its determinants using secondary data for the period (1991-2016). Methods/Statistical analysis: To test the validity of this ‘feminisation ‘U’ hypothesis’ a scatter diagram has been presented to display the association between FLFP and GDPPCPPPCONST for the period (1991-2016). Contrary to the earlier studies two distinct ‘U’ pattern of movement for two different periods period 1: (1991-2005) and period 2: (2005-2016) have been noticed and separate OLS regression using linear and quadratic models for period 1 and period 2 respectively have been carried out. Findings: Regression results suggest that for both the periods quadratic models explain the influence of GDP per capita better on female labour force participation rate and this verifies the ‘feminisation ‘hypothesis’. This is consistent with the existing literature and adds value to them as it is based on updated data. Some other factors like school enrolment, secondary, female (% gross) (FSC), school enrolment, secondary, male (% gross) (MSC), Employment to Total Population Ratio (ETPR), fertility rate (FERT) are also incorporated for analysing their possible influence causing this pattern of association. The ‘U’ pattern of association between FLFP and FSC and FLFP and FERT, FLFP and MSC are also noticed which proves the nonlinearity between i. FLFP and FSC and ii. FLFP and FERT, iii. FLFP and MSC. Application/Improvements: We find twice the evidence of ‘U’ shaped pattern of association between FLFP and GDPPC PPP cost which might indicate that the association might be oscillatory in nature which can be empirically tested.