The available data on labour force participation is of 1981 census when Sui sub-division was part of the district, hence, precise estimates for the district with present geographical boundaries cannot be given. In 1981, the civilian labour force constituted 43.2 percent of the total population in Kohlu district. More than three fourth (78.5%) of the male population and a quite small percentage (1.0%) of the females were part of the labour force. An overwhelming majority (93.6%) of the labour force was engaged in "agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing" sectors. Although livestock sector is not mentioned here but it is the most engaged-in economic activity in which most of the labour is self-employed. Tenants are hired for agriculture activities. The majority of the labour force in the district is local and migrant labour is minimal.

 The visible labour force in the district consists of males only. However women are involved in various productive sectors, specially the livestock farming. They can frequently be seen grazing their livestock. Women are also allied workers in agriculture. Handicrafts is another domain of women in Kohlu. The main reason behind the invisibility of female labour force lies in the socio-cultural background of the district.

Women are not allowed to move around, outside their homes, freely. Purdah is practised by most of the women. They wear a veil when they go outside the house, usually a big chaddar (piece of cloth) covering the women from head to toe. Urbanisation is very slow in Kohlu district; the subsequent socio-cultural change, allowing and sometimes necessitating women’s active participation in the labour force, is therefore also slow.