Educated youth struggle for jobs across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal

Chandigarh: Youth unemployment in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh is nearly double the national average, with educated young people bearing the brunt of a deepening jobs crisis, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (Jan–Dec 2025).Unemployment in the 15–29 age group stands at 19.8% in Himachal Pradesh and 17% in Punjab, far above the national average of 9.9%. Haryana records 11.8%, also above the all-India level but significantly lower than its neighbouring states.The data points to a widening gap between rising education levels and limited job opportunities. With a large pool of diploma holders, graduates and postgraduates, the region is struggling to absorb its educated workforce, while a sharp gender divide persists, with young women facing significantly higher unemployment.Overall unemployment in the 15–59 age group is also above the national average in all three states. Punjab records 5.8%, Himachal Pradesh 5.2% and Haryana 4.7%, against 3.4% nationally.Despite higher education levels in the region, graduate unemployment stands at 11.6% in Punjab, 10.3% in Haryana and 12.1% in Himachal Pradesh, compared with 11.2% nationally. Postgraduate unemployment is also high at 9.4% in Punjab, 9.6% in Haryana and 11.0% in Himachal Pradesh, against 10.0% nationally.The share of population with secondary education and above is 59.6% in Himachal Pradesh, 52.5% in Haryana and 49% in Punjab, all significantly above the national average of 42.4%.A closer look at higher educational attainment shows a substantial pool of qualified youth. Diploma or certificate holders account for 5.9% in Himachal Pradesh and 3.2% in Haryana, both higher than Punjab at 1.4%, which is at par with the national average. Graduate-level education is recorded at 12.8% in Haryana, 10.8% in Himachal Pradesh and 8.7% in Punjab, compared with 10.8% nationally. Postgraduate and above qualification levels are also higher in the region, with 6.0% in Himachal Pradesh and 5.3% in Haryana, against 2.8% in Punjab and 3.3% nationally.GENDER DISPARITYAmong young women aged 15–29 years, unemployment stands at 27.7% in Punjab and 17.4% in Himachal Pradesh, both higher than the national figure of 11.3%. Haryana's figure is 14.3%.The Worker Population Ratio for the 15–29 age group also reflects limited job absorption. Only 39% of youth in Punjab and 35% in Haryana are working, compared with 41.4% nationally. Himachal Pradesh records 44.9%, marginally above the national average.Participation levels also show sharp differences. The Labour Force Participation Rate among youth is 47.0% in Punjab, close to the national average of 46.0%. Haryana records a lower participation rate of 39.7%, suggesting a significant share of youth are outside the labour market. Himachal Pradesh, at 56.0%, shows higher participation but also elevated unemployment, indicating that many young people are actively seeking work but unable to find jobs.EMPLOYMENT NATURE VARIESThe nature of employment also varies across the three states. Himachal Pradesh relies heavily on self-employment, with 67.6% of workers in this category, compared with 44.5% in Punjab and 44.0% in Haryana. Regular salaried jobs are more common in Punjab and Haryana, at 36.2% and 39.4%, respectively, compared with 23.2% in Himachal Pradesh and 23.6% nationally. FOR TABLEUnemployment Rate (UR) (%) for persons of age 15 years and above of different highest level of education successfully completedSTATE | not literate | literate & upto primary | middle | secondary | higher secondary | diploma/certificate course | graduate | post graduate & above | secondary & abovePunjab | 0.8 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 13.8 | 8.9 | 11.6 | 9.4 | 9.3Haryana | 0.5 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 10.3 | 9.6 | 6.8Himachal Pradesh | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 4.6 | 17.5 | 12.1 | 11.0 | 7.2All India | 0.3 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 4.7 | 6.9 | 11.2 | 10.0 | 6.5Unemployment Rate age group: 15-29 yearsSTATE | rural male | rural female | rural person | urban male | urban female | urban person | rural-urban male | rural-urban female | rural-urban personPunjab | 14.7 | 29.9 | 18.7 | 12.1 | 23.7 | 14.5 | 13.6 | 27.7 | 17.0Haryana | 10.0 | 9.5 | 9.9 | 12.9 | 20.7 | 14.0 | 11.4 | 14.3 | 11.8Himachal Pradesh | 21.9 | 14.4 | 18.4 | 21.6 | 37.5 | 27.6 | 21.9 | 17.4 | 19.8All India | 8.2 | 8.6 | 8.3 | 11.8 | 18.9 | 13.6 | 9.3 | 11.3 | 9.9 MSID:: 130084101 413 |