Unemployment rate rises marginally to 4.8% in Dec on back of urban joblessness' increase

NEW DELHI: Unemployment rate for those in the 15 years and above age group inched up marginally in Dec while the labour force participation rate (LFPR) maintained an upward momentum, the periodic labour force survey monthly showed Thursday

The overall joblessness rate was estimated 4.8% in Dec compared to 4.7% in Nov. The survey results showed that the rural unemployment rate remained stagnant at 3.9%, while the urban rate rose to 6.7% from 6.5% in the previous month.

Among rural males aged 15 years and above, the unemployment rate remained stable at 4.1% in Dec. The joblessness rate among females in urban areas moderated to 9.1% in Dec compared to 9.3% in Nov.

The overall LFPR among those in the 15 years and above age group rose to 56.1% in Dec, compared to 55.8% in Nov. In rural areas, the LFPR was estimated as 59% in Dec compared to 58.6% in Nov. The LFPR in urban centres dipped marginally to 50.2% from 50.4% in Nov.

The overall LFPR for females in the 15 years and above age group edged up to 35.3% from 35.1% in Nov. In rural areas, it increased to 40.1% in Dec, from 39.7% in the previous month and in urban areas, it slipped slightly to 25.3% during the month from 25.5% in Nov.

The data also showed that the worker population ratio (WPR) in the age group 15 years and above displayed a gradual improvement in Dec. Among rural males, the WPR edged up to 76% in Dec from 75.4% in Nov while among males in urban centres the WPR dipped from 70.9% in Nov to 70.4% in Dec, edged overall male WPR to 74.1%.

PLFS is the primary source of data on activity participation and employment and unemployment conditions of population. It presents estimates of key labour market indicators such as LFPR, Worker Population Ratio (WPR) and Unemployment Rate (UR) at the all-India level under the current weekly status (CWS) method.