The national unemployment rate among urban youth is decreasing in FY25, but 6 states and UTs have seen an increase in unemployment rates from Q1 to Q3.
PLFS is the primary source of data on employment and unemployment situation in India.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) gives Indicators like the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), Unemployment Rate (UR), etc.
Released by- Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation.
Survey period- Quarterly Bulletin [October – December 2024].
Key Findings
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)- In urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above has increased from 49.9% to 50.4%.
LFPR for male of age 15 years and above in urban areas increased from 74.1% to 75.4% reflecting overall increasing trend in male LFPR.
LFPR among female of age 15 years and above for urban areas increased from 25.0% to 25.2%.
Worker Population Ratio (WPR) - In urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above has increased from 46.6% to 47.2%.
WPR for male of age 15 years and above for urban areas increased from 69.8% to 70.9% reflecting overall increasing trend in male WPR.
Unemployment Rate (UR)- In urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above decreased from 6.5% to 6.4%.
UR among males of age 15 years and above remained same as 5.8%.
UR among female of age 15 years and above decreased from 8.6 % to 8.1%.
State wise data – Rising unemployment states - Assam shows highest urban youth unemployment rate at 27. 5% in Q3, up from 23. 9% in Q1.
Bihar's rate has increased to 26. 4% from 20. 8%, Madhya Pradesh to 15% from 11. 2%, and Haryana to 12. 9% from 11. 2%.
In Jammu & Kashmir the rate rose to 35. 3% from 29. 8%,
Delhi’s rategrew to 4. 9% from 3. 7%.
Declined unemployment states –Kerala is followed by Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat with slight decreases.
International Labour Organisation (ILO)– The study states that youth comprise nearly 83% of the unemployed workforce, with educational attainment increasing significantly.
