India’s unemployment rate has decreased slightly to 4.9% in 2024 from 5.0% in 2023, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The report shows a subtle improvement in employment opportunities, but disparities persist, especially across sectors, gender, and regions. Mixed trends were observed in urban and rural employment, reflecting the complexity of the nation’s labor market.

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• India’s unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above decreased slightly from 5.0% in 2023 to 4.9% in 2024.
• Rural unemployment decreased marginally from 4.3% to 4.2%.
• Male unemployment in urban areas rose slightly from 6.0% to 6.1%.
• Female unemployment in urban areas saw a notable decrease from 8.9% to 8.2%.
• Urban unemployment rate remained stable at 6.7%.
• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) at the national level dropped slightly from 59.8% to 59.6%.
• LFPR in urban areas rose, with male LFPR increasing from 74.3% to 75.6% and female LFPR from 25.5% to 25.8%.
• The overall LFPR remained constant at 56.2%, showing minor variations.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR) declined slightly from 58.0% to 57.7%.
• Unpaid female household work declined, indicating a possible shift towards formal roles in rural areas.