IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde has said, India's national income will increase by 27 per cent, if the participation of women in the workforce matches the level of men. <br/><br/>Delivering a speech on "Women's Empowerment: An Economic Game Changer" in Los Angeles yesterday, Mr. Lagarde said equal pay and better economic opportunities for women boost economic growth. She said, if women were to participate in the labour force to the same extent as men, national income could increase by five per cent in the US, nine per cent in Japan, and 27 per cent in India. Lagarde said, better opportunities for women also promote diversity and reduce economic inequality around the world.