New Delhi – Key employment indicators for India's youth demonstrated significant improvement in 2025, with the unemployment rate for the 15-29 age group declining to 9.9%. This positive trend was revealed in the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025, which utilizes a revised methodology implemented from January 2025.
Key Metrics Show Positive Shift
According to data shared by Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje in the Lok Sabha on July 27, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for youth increased from 38.5% in 2022 to 41.4% in 2025. Concurrently, the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for this demographic rose from 43.2% to 46% over the same period. The unemployment rate, a critical measure, saw a drop from 10.6% in 2022 to 9.9% in 2025, signaling more young people entering and securing jobs within the workforce.
Broader Employment Growth and Formalisation
Beyond youth-specific data, broader national employment figures also indicate robust growth. The Reserve Bank of India's KLEMS database estimates that total employment across the country surged to 64.33 crore in 2023-24, a substantial increase from 47.15 crore in 2014-15. This represents a 36.44% growth over nearly a decade. Furthermore, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) recorded an addition of over 8.23 crore net subscribers between September 2017 and July 2025, reflecting both job creation and a growing formalisation of the labour market.
Government Initiatives Bolster Job Creation
The Ministry of Labour and Employment highlighted several government initiatives aimed at fostering employment and skill development:
- Rozgar Melas: Since its inception, 19 Rozgar Melas have facilitated the issuance of over 12.5 lakh appointment letters.
- Skill India Mission: A flagship program focused on skill development to enhance employability.
- National Career Service Portal: A platform connecting job seekers with employers.
- Future Skills PRIME: An initiative dedicated to upskilling the workforce in emerging technologies.
- Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana: An Employment Linked Incentive Scheme with an outlay of Rs 99,446 crore, targeting the creation of more than 3.5 crore jobs over two years.
Additionally, the Udyam Registration Portal and Udyam Assist Platform have registered 8.9 crore MSMEs, collectively supporting employment for over 39 crore individuals nationwide, underscoring the significant role of micro, small, and medium enterprises in India's job market.