India's Monthly Unemployment Rate at 5.1% in April 2025: Government Launches First Monthly Labour Survey

New Delhi, May 15
India's unemployment rate stood at 5.1 percent in April 2025, according to the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, which released the country's first-ever monthly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) on Thursday. This marks a significant shift from the earlier quarterly and annual reporting formats, aimed at offering real-time insights into the employment landscape.

Key Findings from April 2025 Labour Data​

The survey, conducted under the Current Weekly Status (CWS) methodology, provides a snapshot of joblessness during the seven days preceding the survey date.

• Overall unemployment rate: 5.1%
• Male unemployment rate: 5.2%
• Female unemployment rate: 5.0%

The joblessness rate among the 15–29 age group was notably higher at 13.8%, revealing persistent challenges in youth employment. Urban youth faced a sharper burden with a 17.2% unemployment rate, compared to 12.3% in rural areas.

Youth Unemployment Breakdown:​

• Women (15–29 years):
  • All India: 14.4%
  • Urban: 23.7%
  • Rural: 10.7%
• Men (15–29 years):
  • All India: 13.6%
  • Urban: 15%
  • Rural: 13%

Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and Worker Population Ratio (WPR)​

The Labour Force Participation Rate—defined as the share of people aged 15 and above either working or actively seeking work—was:

• Overall: 55.6%
• Rural: 58.0%
• Urban: 50.7%

Among males, the LFPR was significantly higher:

• Rural males: 79.0%
• Urban males: 75.3%

For females aged 15 and above:

• Rural: 38.2%
• Urban: Data not explicitly provided

The Worker Population Ratio (WPR), representing the percentage of the population that is employed, was:

• National average: 52.8%
• Rural: 55.4%
• Urban: 47.4%

Female WPR figures indicate a gender gap in employment:

• Rural women: 36.8%
• Urban women: 23.5%
• Overall female WPR: 32.5%

Expanded Survey for Enhanced Coverage​

To generate high-frequency employment indicators, the PLFS methodology was revamped in January 2025. For April, the survey covered:

• 7,511 first-stage sampling units
• 89,434 households (49,323 rural, 40,111 urban)
• 3,80,838 individuals (2,17,483 rural, 1,63,355 urban)

This monthly format is expected to significantly enhance the government's ability to track and respond to employment trends across regions and demographics.