Data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the National Sample Survey Office reveals that Himachal Pradesh has emerged at the forefront of urban unemployment, registering a rate of 33.9%. Following closely is Rajasthan, with an urban unemployment rate of 30.20% among individuals aged 15 to 29 years during the period of July to September 2023. This stands in contrast to the national average of 17.3% for the same age group over the mentioned period.
The situation in Rajasthan underscores the importance of addressing unemployment concerns, particularly among the younger population, to foster economic growth and social well-being.
As per the insights provided by the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Himachal Pradesh witnessed a notable gender disparity in urban unemployment rates among individuals aged 15 to 29 during the July-September quarter of this fiscal year. The data indicates that the urban female unemployment rate in the state surged to 49.2%, significantly surpassing the corresponding male unemployment rate, which stood at 25.3%.
According to the recently released data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Rajasthan recorded a considerable gender disparity in urban unemployment rates during the July-September quarter. The statistics indicate that urban female unemployment in the state stood at 39.4%, notably higher than the male unemployment rate, which was registered at 27.2%.
The Rajasthan administration has provided information indicating that the state currently has 18,40,044 registered unemployed individuals. Among them, 14,40,916 hold graduate degrees, and a minimum of 1,01,956 have pursued education beyond graduation. This data, as of February 21, 2023, highlights the significant number of individuals actively seeking employment opportunities in the state. The figures emphasize the ongoing challenges in addressing unemployment and underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to enhance job creation and opportunities for the educated workforce in Rajasthan.
Similarly, Jammu & Kashmir reported a notable urban unemployment rate of 29.8% within the specified age group during the same quarter. The data revealed a substantial gender gap in unemployment, with females experiencing a significantly higher rate at 51.8%, while the corresponding male unemployment rate was 19.8%.
According to the data provided by the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the broader perspective of urban unemployment in the country among individuals aged 15-29, as per the Current Weekly Status (CWS), was recorded at 17.3%. The determination of Current Weekly Status is based on a reference period of the last 7 days preceding the date of the survey.
The national average for urban unemployment in the specified age group was calculated at 22.9%. This figure contrasts with a lower unemployment rate of 15.5% among females during the July-September quarter of 2023. The data indicates a discernible gender gap in urban unemployment, emphasising the need for targeted policies and initiatives to address the unique challenges faced by young individuals in the job market, especially females.
The unemployment landscape for individuals aged 15-29 in the September quarter showed an overall rate of 17.3%, marking a slight reduction from the 17.6% reported in the April-June quarter of the fiscal year and a decline from the 18.5% recorded in the same period last year.
Breaking down the data among males in the 15-29 years age group, Rajasthan exhibited the highest unemployment rate at 27.7%, with Himachal Pradesh following closely at 25.3% and Chhattisgarh at 24.9%. The overall male joblessness rate for this age group during the September quarter was recorded at 15.5%, a marginal decrease from the 15.9% reported in the April-June quarter of the current fiscal year.
The NSSO survey, encompassing 22 states, has unveiled notable variations in urban unemployment rates across different regions in the July-September quarter among individuals aged 15-29%. Gujarat emerged with the lowest unemployment rate, standing at 7.1%, followed closely by Delhi at 8.4%.
The data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) sheds light on the intricate landscape of urban unemployment across states in India, especially among individuals aged 15 to 29. Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan emerge as notable states grappling with higher unemployment rates, emphasizing the urgency of tailored interventions to address youth unemployment. The gender disparity in urban unemployment rates, particularly in states like Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, underscores the need for targeted policies to empower young women in the workforce.
