The education sector has the highest proportion of women at 20.3 percent, while IT shows 13.2 percent.

Women Stay 10.6 Months at Jobs vs 7.8 for Men: Salary-Say EPFO Analysis

Women in India’s organized workforce tend to stay in their jobs longer than men, according to a new analysis by fintech platform Salary-Say. The study is based on over 47,800 EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) records of salaried professionals in urban areas. It shows that women remain employed for an average of 10.6 months, compared with 7.8 months for men. These findings challenge the common belief that women quit early in their careers.

Despite higher retention, women make up a small portion of the workforce. Just one in every 13 employees is female, representing 7.6 percent of total EPFO records.

Participation varies across sectors. The education sector has the highest proportion of women at 20.3 percent, while IT shows 13.2 percent. Manufacturing and construction are heavily male-dominated, with women accounting for only 3.6 percent and 3.2 percent, respectively.

Gender differences are also evident in early career exits. Within the first six months, 36 percent of women leave their roles, compared with 44 percent of men. Workforce participation drops further for women aged 35 to 45, with 19.5 percent exiting during this period, against 12.4 percent of men. Marriage and motherhood are cited as key factors for this decline.