India has added 16.83 crore new jobs over the past six years, expanding its employment base from 47.5 crore in 2017–18 to 64.33 crore in 2023–24, according to data released by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The figures are based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO), which tracks workforce trends across age groups, sectors, and geographies.
The government attributes this growth to economic expansion, increased formalisation, and targeted employment schemes.
Economists note that rising employment supports household consumption and contributes to long-term economic stability.
Labour Force Participation and Worker Engagement Improve
Two key indicators have shown consistent improvement:
- Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for individuals aged 15 and above rose from 49.8 percent in 2017–18 to 60.1 percent in 2023–24
- Worker Population Ratio (WPR) increased from 46.8 percent to 58.2 percent over the same period
In the April–June 2025 quarter, LFPR stood at 55 percent, while WPR reached 52.2 percent, reflecting stronger workforce engagement across both rural and urban regions.
Jobs Growth Sectoral Trends: Agriculture Dominates Rural Employment
Employment distribution varies significantly between rural and urban areas:
- In rural India, agriculture remains the primary employer, engaging 44.6 percent of men and 70.9 percent of women
- In urban areas, the tertiary sector leads, employing 60.6 percent of men and 64.9 percent of women
During the April–June 2025 quarter, an estimated 56.4 crore people aged 15 and above were employed, including 39.7 crore men and 16.7 crore women.
Formalisation and Youth Employment on the Rise
The shift toward formal employment is evident in EPFO data.
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation added 1.29 crore net subscribers in FY25, nearly double the 61.12 lakh added in FY19.
Since the payroll-tracking system began in September 2017, over 7.73 crore net subscribers have joined, including 21.04 lakh in July 2025 alone.
Of these, 9.79 lakh were new entrants, with 60 percent in the 18–25 age group, indicating a growing base of young, first-time formal sector workers.
Unemployment Rate Falls Sharply
India’s unemployment rate dropped from 6.0 percent in 2017–18 to 3.2 percent in 2023–24.
Youth unemployment also declined from 17.8 percent to 10.2 percent, placing India below the global average of 13.3 percent.
Jobs Growth: Shift Toward Self-Employment and Higher Wages
Employment patterns have evolved:
- Self-employment rose from 52.2 percent to 58.4 percent
- Casual labour declined from 24.9 percent to 19.8 percent
- Average daily wage for casual labourers increased from ₹294 in 2017 to ₹433 in 2024
- Monthly earnings for regular salaried workers rose from ₹16,538 to ₹21,103
These trends suggest a tilt toward entrepreneurship and improved job quality, supported by government initiatives for micro-enterprises and startups.
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