What Is the Government’s Unemployment Rate for April?
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Synopsis
The government has released its first monthly data series indicating an unemployment rate of 5.1% for April, alongside key employment statistics. This new series, which includes rural job data, offers a comprehensive view of the labor market in India, reflecting the government's efforts to enhance employment tracking.
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment Rate: 5.1% in April.
- LFPR: 55.6% for individuals 15 and older.
- Rural LFPR: 58%; Urban LFPR: 50.7%.
- Worker Population Ratio: 52.8% overall.
- Revamped PLFS: Monthly data collection starts January 2025.
New Delhi, May 15 (NationPress) The government announced on Thursday that the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in current weekly status (CWS), a key employment indicator for individuals aged 15 and above, stood at 55.6 percent in April. The LFPR for rural regions was reported at 58 percent, while urban areas recorded an LFPR of 50.7 percent for the same demographic.
This data now includes rural employment statistics for the first time, expanding its coverage, as part of a new monthly data series issued by the Ministry of Statistics.
The Unemployment Rate (UR) in CWS for individuals aged 15 and above was 5.1 percent in April. Notably, the male UR was slightly higher at 5.2 percent, compared to a female UR of 5.0 percent, according to the data.
The previous unemployment rate (UR) in urban areas was 6.4 percent for the period of October-December 2024, based on the previous quarterly series.
The LFPR in CWS for males aged 15 and above was 79 percent in rural areas and 75.3 percent in urban regions, while females of the same age group had an LFPR of 38.2 percent in rural areas during April.
Additionally, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in CWS for individuals aged 15 and above was 55.4 percent in rural regions, with an urban WPR of 47.4 percent, contributing to an overall national WPR of 52.8 percent for April.
The female WPR for those aged 15 and above was recorded at 36.8 percent in rural areas and 23.5 percent in urban areas, with an overall female WPR for the same age group at 32.5 percent.
To address the demand for high-frequency labour force indicators with broader coverage, the sampling methodology of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) has been updated as of January 2025.
This revamped PLFS design aims to estimate key employment and unemployment indicators (LFPR, WPR, and UR) on a monthly basis for both rural and urban areas at the national level.
The results are scheduled to be presented in monthly bulletins of the PLFS, with the current bulletin marking the inaugural release for April 2025.
From January 2025, a rotational panel sampling design will be implemented for both rural and urban areas in the PLFS. This design involves visiting each selected household four times over four consecutive months—once for the initial visit and three times for follow-ups. This rotation scheme ensures that 75 percent of the first-stage sampling units (FSUs) are consistent between two consecutive months.
Point of View
This new data series on unemployment and labor force participation reflects the government's commitment to transparency and accuracy in monitoring employment trends. By including rural job statistics, the government aims to provide a more comprehensive view of the labor market, ultimately enhancing policy decisions and economic strategies.
NationPress
10/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the unemployment rate for April?
The unemployment rate for April stands at 5.1 percent, according to the newly released data.
How does the LFPR differ between rural and urban areas?
In April, the LFPR was 58 percent in rural areas and 50.7 percent in urban areas.
What is the significance of the new monthly data series?
The new monthly data series includes rural job figures for the first time, broadening the coverage of employment statistics.
When will the monthly results be published?
The monthly results will be released in the form of bulletins starting from April 2025.
What changes have been made to the PLFS sampling methodology?
The sampling methodology for the PLFS has been revamped to provide high-frequency labor force indicators from January 2025.
