The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Thursday (May 15) said that India’s unemployment rate among individuals aged 15 years and above, for the month of April, stood at 5.1 per centread moreThe Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Thursday (May 15) said that India’s unemployment rate among individuals aged 15 years and above, for the month of April, stood at 5.1 per cent.This is the first of India’s planned monthly labour force data reports, set to cover both urban and rural areas. Previously, the government published only quarterly employment statistics for urban areas, and annual ones for rural areas.The figure 5.1 per cent is based on the Current Weekly Status (CWS) method. This method looks at whether a person was employed, unemployed, or not in the labour force based on their activities over the past seven days.STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADMen, young people, and urban workers more affectedThe data shows that the unemployment rate was slightly higher for men (5.2 per cent) than for women (5.0 per cent). But joblessness was far more severe among young people aged 15 to 29, with an average unemployment rate of 13.8 per cent across the country.More from India
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‘From Kargil to Pahalgam, DGMO hotline has stood test of time’: Ex-DGMO Lt Gen Bhatia on Operation SindoorIn urban areas, the situation was much worse— 17.2 per cent of people in this age group were unemployed, compared to 12.3 per cent in rural areas.Young women in cities hit hardestUnemployment among young women (15–29 years) was particularly high:National average: 14.4 per centUrban areas: 23.7 per centRural areas: 10.7 per centYoung men in the same age group had an unemployment rates of:National average: 13.6 per centUrban areas: 15 per centRural areas: 13 per cent**Disparities in LFPR and WFP**The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) measures the percentage of people aged 15 and above who are either working or actively looking for work. In April 2025, India’s LFPR was:55.6 per cent nationally58 per cent in rural areas50.7 per cent in urban areasAmong men, the LFPR was much higher:Rural areas: 79.0 per centUrban areas: 75.3 per centAmong women, fewer participated in the labour force:Rural areas: 38.2 per centUrban areas: 25.7 per centThe Worker Population Ratio (WPR) tells us what percentage of the population is actually employed (not just looking for work). In April 2025:National WPR for those aged 15+: 52.8 per centRural areas: 55.4 per centUrban areas: 47.4 per centWomen again showed a significant gap in employment:National average WPR for women aged 15+: 32.5 per centIn rural areas: 36.8 per centIn urban areas: 23.5 per centTagsIndiaIndian EconomyEnd of Article
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April unemployment rate stood at 5.1% in April, govt says in first monthly labour force data report
