Those activities which contribute to the gross national product are called economic activities. All those who are engaged in economic activities, in whatever capacity — high or low, are workers. Even if some of them temporarily abstain from work due to illness, injury or other physical disability, bad weather, festivals, social or religious functions, they are also workers. Workers also include all those who help the main workers in these activities. We generally think of only those who are paid by an employer for their work as workers. This is not so. Those who are self-employed are also workers.

Given below are some statements. Read them carefully and choose the correct statement (s) from the given options.

Statement 1: When we compare the distribution of workforce in rural and urban areas, the selfemployed are found more in urban areas than in rural areas.   

Statement 2: Majority of those workers, depending on farming, own plots of land in rural areas and cultivate independently.

Only Statement 2 is correct.

The correct answer is Option 2: Only Statement 2 is correct.

Statement 1: When we compare the distribution of workforce in rural and urban areas, the selfemployed are found more in urban areas than in rural areas. This is false. When we compare the distribution of workforce in rural and urban areas, the selfemployed are found more in rural areas than in urban areas. 

Statement 2: Majority of those workers, depending on farming, own plots of land in rural areas and cultivate independently. This is correct.

Self-employment is a major source of livelihood for both men and women as this category accounts for more than 50 per cent of the workforce. Casual wage work is the second major source for both men and women, a little more so for the latter (24-27 per cent). When it comes to regular salaried employment, both women and men are found to be so engaged in greater proportion. Men form 23 per cent whereas women form 21 per cent. The gap between men and women is very less.

When we compare the distribution of workforce in rural and urban areas, the selfemployed and casual wage labourers are found more in rural areas than in urban areas. In the urban, both self employment and regular wage salaried jobs are greater. In the former, since majority of those depending on farming own plots of land and cultivate independently, the share of selfemployed is greater. The nature of work in urban areas is different. Obviously everyone cannot run factories, shops and offices of various types. Moreover enterprises in urban areas require workers on a regular basis.