Employment Distribution:

(a) Regional Distribution:

(i) In urban areas, 42% of workers are self-employed, while 58% are hired.

(ii) In rural areas, 56% of workers are self-employed, and 44% are hired.
(b) Gender Distribution:

(i) Among male workers, 51% are self-employed, and 49% are hired.

(ii) Among female workers, 55% are self-employed, and 45% are hired.

Analysis of the Data:

(a) Self-employment is more prevalent in rural areas compared to urban areas. This is attributed to the agrarian nature of work in rural regions, where individuals often work on their own farms due to limited non-farm job opportunities. In contrast, urban areas witness a higher concentration of skilled individuals engaged in office and factory jobs.
(b) Self-employment and hired employment hold equal importance for male workers, while female workers exhibit a preference for self-employment. This inclination is driven by the lower mobility of women, both in rural and urban areas, leading them to favor engaging in self-employment.

7.6 OCCUPATIONAL STRUCTURE OR DISTRIBUTION OF WORKFORCE BY INDUSTRY

The different parts of the economy are divided into three sectors. The first one is the primary sector, which includes farming, forestry, fishing, mining, and quarrying. The second one is the secondary sector, which includes manufacturing, construction, and services related to electricity, gas, and water supply. The third one is the tertiary sector, which includes trade, transport, storage, and various services.

Now, let’s look at some data from the year 2011-12:

• Occupational Structure:
  • Industry-wise Distribution:
    • Nearly half (48.9%) of the workforce is involved in the primary sector.
    • About a quarter (24.3%) is engaged in the secondary sector.
    • Around a quarter (26.8%) is in the tertiary sector.
  • Area-wise Distribution:
    • In rural areas:
      • 77% work in the primary sector.
      • 11% work in the secondary sector.
      • 12% work in the tertiary sector.
    • In urban areas:
      • 10% work in the primary sector.
      • 31% work in the secondary sector.
      • 59% work in the tertiary sector.
• Analysis:
  • Economic challenges persist as a significant portion (48.9%) of the workforce is engaged in agriculture. Many people rely on farming for their livelihoods.
  • The tertiary sector employs 26.8% of the workforce, indicating growth and development in this sector. It suggests that the tertiary sector can provide sustainable employment for a considerable portion of the workforce.
• Conclusion:
  • In urban areas, the tertiary sector is the primary source of livelihood for the majority of the workforce.

Objective Type Questions

1. What does the primary sector include?
   A. Manufacturing and construction
   B. Trade and transport
   C. Agriculture, forestry, and mining
   D. Services related to electricity and water supply
   Answer: C
2. In the year 2011-12, what percentage of the workforce was engaged in the secondary sector?
   A. 48.9%
   B. 24.3%
   C. 26.8%
   D. 31%
   Answer: B
3. What is the main source of livelihood for 77% of the workforce in rural areas?
   A. Tertiary sector
   B. Secondary sector
   C. Primary sector
   D. Manufacturing sector
   Answer: C
4. In urban areas, what percentage of the workforce is engaged in the tertiary sector?
   A. 10%
   B. 31%
   C. 59%
   D. 26.8%
   Answer: C
5. What does the data reveal about the primary sector in terms of economic activities?
   A. It employs only 10% of the workforce.
   B. It accounts for 48.9% of the workforce, indicating a significant reliance on agriculture.
   C. It is not mentioned in the data.
   D. It is the smallest sector in terms of workforce engagement.
   Answer: B
6. What sector shows growth and development, employing 26.8% of the workforce?
   A. Secondary sector
   B. Tertiary sector
   C. Manufacturing sector
   D. Primary sector
   Answer: B
7. Where does construction belong in the sector classification?
   A. Tertiary sector
   B. Primary sector
   C. Secondary sector
   D. None of the above
   Answer: C
8. What percentage of the urban workforce is engaged in the secondary sector?
   A. 10%
   B. 31%
   C. 59%
   D. 24.3%
   Answer: B
9. What conclusion can be drawn about the tertiary sector in urban areas?
   A. It is not a significant source of livelihood.
   B. It employs only 10% of the workforce.
   C. It is the main source of livelihood for the majority of the workforce.
   D. It is declining in importance.
   Answer: C
10. What does the data suggest about the economic challenges related to the workforce?
    A. There are no economic challenges.
    B. A significant portion (48.9%) of the workforce is engaged in agriculture, indicating economic challenges.
    C. Economic challenges are not discussed in the data.
    D. The tertiary sector has overcome economic challenges.