First-ever monthly job data shows India's unemployment rate at 5.1% in April 2025

India’s First Monthly Job Data (PLFS – April 2025)

• Released by: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Survey: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) – now monthly (earlier quarterly & annual).
• Sample Size (April 2025):
  • 7,511 first-stage sampling units.
  • 89,434 households (49,323 rural, 40,111 urban).
  • 3,80,838 persons (2,17,483 rural, 1,63,355 urban).

Key Findings

1. Unemployment Rate (UR)
   • Overall (all ages): 5.1%
   • Men: 5.2%
   • Women: 5.0%
   • Youth (15–29 yrs): 13.8%
     • Urban: 17.2%
     • Rural: 12.3%
   • Women (15–29 yrs):
     • Overall: 14.4%
     • Urban: 23.7%
     • Rural: 10.7%
2. Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)– persons 15 yrs & above
   • Overall: 55.6%
   • Rural: 58.0%
   • Urban: 50.7%
   • Male (rural): 79.0% | Male (urban): 75.3%
   • Female (rural): 38.2%
3. Worker Population Ratio (WPR)– persons 15 yrs & above
   • Overall: 52.8%
   • Rural: 55.4%
   • Urban: 47.4%
   • Female WPR:
     • Rural: 36.8%
     • Urban: 23.5%
     • Overall female: 32.5%

Concepts for UPSC

• Current Weekly Status (CWS): Measures activity status based on work/unemployment in the last 7 days preceding the survey.
• LFPR (Labour Force Participation Rate): % of working-age population (15+) either employed or seeking work.
• WPR (Worker Population Ratio): % of employed persons in the total population.
  
  Updated - May 16, 2025 01:08 am | The Hindu