Latest Periodic Labour Force Survey Figures

May 30, 2023

India’s urban unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2023 reached a historic low of 6.8%, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This is a significant decrease from the previous quarter’s rate of 7.2%. The figures are based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), which measures unemployment in terms of the Current Weekly Status.

Initiation of the Periodic Labour Force Survey

The PLFS was initiated in the year 2018-19 and provides valuable insights into the employment scenario in urban areas. It is a quarterly survey that focuses on various labour force indicators, including the unemployment rate, Worker Population Ratio (WPR), Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), and the distribution of workers by employment status and industry.

Unemployment Rates by Gender

In the first quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate among men was 6.0%, while for women it was 9.2%. This indicates a slight improvement compared to the previous quarter, where the rates were 6.5% for men and 9.6% for women. The increase in female labour force participation to 22.7% in Q4 FY23, up from 22.3% in the previous quarter, is a positive development.

Worker-Population Ratio and Male Labour Force Participation

The worker-population ratio (WPR) in urban areas for individuals aged 15 and above showed a marginal improvement. In January-March 2023, the WPR reached 45.2%, compared to 44.7% in the previous quarter. Among men, the WPR was 45.2%, while among women it stood at 20.6%. In the third quarter, the respective figures were 68.6% and 20.2%. These numbers highlight the active participation of the workforce in urban areas.

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