Factors Influencing Labor Force Participation of Educated Women: An Empirical Investigation From Kerala, Southern India

This article examines the labor force participation of educated women in Kerala, a southern Indian state renowned for its remarkable achievements in social and human development. Using primary data collected from 300 women, the study analyzes their educational attainment, labor force participation, and employment conditions. The findings reveal that most respondents completed their education in government or government‐aided institutions as full‐time or regular students. The estimated labor force participation rate (LFPR) among the sampled women is 68.7%, indicating that this proportion of women is either employed or actively seeking employment. The LFPR is considerably lower among Muslim women than among Hindu women. A probit regression model was employed to identify the determinants of female labor force participation. The results show that age, higher educational qualifications, the number of earning members in the household, being Hindu, the father's level of education, and vocational training have a positive and significant influence on women's labor force participation. In contrast, larger household size, higher educational attainment of the mother, the self‐employment status of the father or husband, and attendance at private‐aided educational institutions are associated with a lower likelihood of labor force participation. The study also highlights several barriers to women's participation in the labor market, including family responsibilities, inadequate job‐related skills, and difficulties in securing suitable employment. To improve female labor force participation, it recommends expanding access to affordable childcare services, promoting flexible work arrangements, strengthening vocational training and career counseling programs, enhancing professional networking opportunities, and reforming the regulatory framework to facilitate women's employment.