Indian women might still be earning lower wages compared to men, but the gender gap in wages is fast decreasing. The average wage rate for women is now one-fifth lower than men’s compared to a gap of 29.2% in 2004-05, shows data from the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). The NSSO’s 68th round looked at the ‘Informal Sector and Conditions of Employment in India’ for 2011-12, and covered all occupations except crop-based farming; that is 55% of the Indian workforce. The decline in the gender pay gap isn’t surprising. With a visible decline in the women’s workforce in the country in recent years, experts say a supply-side crunch in terms of women employees has led to a decline in the wage gap. With more women withdrawing from the workforce owing to a rise in family incomes, particularly in the rural areas, the percentage increase in wages for women has been higher.

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