ANALYZING WOMEN'S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION IN KARNATAKA USING THE SHRUG DATASET

This study examines the determinants of Womens Labor Force Participation (WLFP) in Karnataka using 2011 Census data and regression analysis across 27,211 observations. The study evaluates the influence of various socioeconomic, demographic, and geographic factors. The results show that while all variables are statistically significant, their explanatory power is limited, indicating that WLFP is shaped by multiple interacting factors. Female and male literacy rates and healthcare availability are negatively associated with WLFP, while scheduled caste population, greater distance from towns, and higher proportions of unirrigated land are positively associated with WLFP. Overall, the findings suggest that womens labor force participation in Karnataka is shaped by a combination of economic, geographic, and social factors rather than development indicators alone. This highlights the need for policies that address the barriers to womens employment.