Unemployment Rate in India Hits 5.1%: A Closer Look at the Latest Labour Force Survey

The latest Labour Force Survey reveals India's unemployment rate at 5.1% for April 2025, marking a significant shift to monthly reporting. The data highlights disparities in joblessness among different age groups and genders, with youth unemployment notably high at 13.8%. Urban areas face a higher unemployment rate compared to rural regions. This survey aims to provide real-time insights into the job market, reflecting the government's efforts to monitor employment trends more closely. Explore the detailed findings and implications of this survey.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 16, 2025, 10:14 IST

Unemployment Insights from the Latest Survey

New Delhi: According to newly released government statistics, the unemployment rate in India was recorded at 5.1% for April 2025, marking the first time this figure has been reported on a monthly basis. The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation introduced the monthly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) to provide real-time insights into the job market. Previously, such surveys were conducted quarterly and annually. The data indicates that the unemployment rate for all age groups in April 2025 was 5.1%, with men experiencing a slightly higher rate of 5.2% compared to women at 5%.

The survey revealed that the unemployment rate for individuals aged 15-29 was notably higher at 13.8%. Urban areas reported an unemployment rate of 17.2%, while rural areas had a lower rate of 12.3%. The Current Weekly Status (CWS) method, which assesses employment based on the week preceding the survey, was utilized for this data collection. Among young women aged 15-29, the unemployment rate was 14.4% overall, with urban areas showing 23.7% and rural areas 10.7%. For young men in the same age group, the unemployment rate was 13.6%, with 15% in cities and 13% in villages.

The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for individuals aged 15 and older stood at 55.6% in April 2025. In rural regions, this rate was 58.0%, while urban areas saw a participation rate of 50.7%. The LFPR for males aged 15 and above was 79.0% in rural areas and 75.3% in urban settings. For females in the same age group, the participation rate was 38.2% in rural areas. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR), which indicates the percentage of employed individuals within the total population, was 55.4% in rural areas for those aged 15 and above, while urban areas recorded a WPR of 47.4%. The national WPR was 52.8% last month, with female WPRs at 36.8% in rural areas and 23.5% in urban areas, leading to an overall female WPR of 32.5%. To enhance the frequency and coverage of labour force indicators, the PLFS sampling methodology was updated in January 2025.