Parliament Question: Increase in unemployment

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 108 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29TH JANUARY, 2026 INCREASE IN UNEMPLOYMENT 108. SHRI DEREK O' BRIEN: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether the overall unemployment rate was 5.2 per cent in September 2025, as per Periodic Labour Force Survey; (b) whether rural unemployment rose from 4.3 per cent in August to 4.6 per cent in September, 2025; (c) whether urban women’s unemployment rose from 8.9 per cent in August to 9.3 per cent in September, 2025 and men’s unemployment was 6 per cent in September, 2025; and (d) if so, the reasons for increase in unemployment? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (d): The official data on Employment and Unemployment is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which is conducted by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) since 2017- 18. As per the latest available Annual PLFS reports, the estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) on usual status for persons of age 15 years and above has decreased from 6.0% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24. Also, the UR has decreased from 5.3% to 2.5% and from 7.7% to 5.1% in rural and urban areas respectively during the same period. Further, the estimated Unemployment Rate has decreased from 6.9% in 2017-18 to 4.4% in 2023-24 for urban men and from 10.8% to 7.1% for urban woman during the same period. Also, MoSPI has revamped PLFS from January 2025. As per monthly PLFS reports, the Unemployment Rate (UR) on Current Weekly Status (CWS) for persons of age 15 years and above was 5.1% in August 2025 & 5.2% in September 2025, rural unemployment was 4.3% and 4.6 % and urban women’s unemployment was 8.9% and 9.3% during the same period. Changes are expected in the monthly PLFS ratios due to increased frequency and seasonal changes but do not necessarily reflect secular trends. *****