Assessing the nature and determinant of informal employment in India

This paper provides significant information on the widespread problem of informal employment in various sectors of India, a phenomenon still existing despite strong economic development. Based on thorough data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (2017–18 to 2023–24) of the National Sample Survey Office, most informal jobs are found in agriculture, with many also in non-agricultural sectors. A major discovery is the shockingly high frequency of joblessness, which is typified by the lack of formal contracts, social security benefits, and paid leave and disproportionately affects women and increases already existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities. Moreover, the study emphasizes often poor working conditions, too many hours, and a worrisome increase in unofficial employment in the post-COVID-19 era, aggravating precarity for underprivileged workers. In line with Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 8, these results highlight the need to lower informal employment to accomplish inclusive and gender-equal development. The study strongly advises that policies should concentrate on enhancing skills and including vocational education in regular school programs to help workers, especially women, move into formal jobs, thus supporting fair and sustainable economic growth.