NEW DELHI: Jammu & Kashmir recorded the highest unemployment rate of 32% among jobseekers in the 15-29 age group in urban areas, followed by Odisha at 30.4%, according to the latest quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). Delhi had the lowest joblessness rate among the youth in this age category at 4.3%, followed by Gujarat (8.3%).
Overall, the youth (15-29) unemployment rate remained in double digits at 15.9% during the July-Sept quarter, though it declined from 16.8% in the April-June period. The PLFS data also showed that the unemployment rate across all age groups in urban areas for the July-Sept quarter slowed to a record low of 6.4% from 6.6% in the previous three-month period. The job market has shown consistent improvement since the sharp spike in unemployment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The reopening of the economy has played a key role in easing the situation.
The PLFS data for urban areas measures unemployment under the current weekly states (CWS).
Under CWS, a person is considered as unemployed in a week if he or she did not work even for an hour on any day during the reference week but sought or was available for work at least for one hour on any day during reference week. The annual PLFS report covers both urban and rural areas. Youth unemployment has been a worry, with the rate consistently remaining in double digits for a significant period now. Of the 22 states and UTs for which data has been published, 20 states had an unemployment rate in double digits.
The govt has unveiled a series of measures to create jobs, including an incentive scheme to boost internships.
Among females, the July-Sept joblessness rate was the highest in J&K at 53.6%, followed by Himachal Pradesh at 43.9%, and Assam at 39.3%. Delhi and Gujarat had the lowest unemployment rate at 1.8% and 5.3%, respectively. The overall unemployment rate among females was at 21%, lower than 23% recorded in the previous quarter. Among males, Odisha had the highest unemployment rate at 28.1%, followed by Andhra Pradesh at 22.5%, and Bihar at 21.5%.
Delhi at 5% had the lowest joblessness rate among males, followed by Himachal Pradesh at 6%.