Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat see lowest youth unemployment, Kerala struggles

New data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) has revealed a stark contrast in youth unemployment across India.
Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have emerged as the best performers, boasting the lowest youth unemployment rates, while Kerala struggles with one of the highest.
The survey, covering the period from July 2023 to June 2024, highlights the pressing issue of youth joblessness and gender disparities across the country.
According to the PLFS, Madhya Pradesh recorded the lowest youth unemployment rate, followed closely by Gujarat. Meanwhile, Kerala’s unemployment rate among youth (aged 15-29) stands at a concerning 29.9%, with the joblessness rate for females soaring to 47.1% and males at 19.3%.
The report also indicated that the nationwide youth unemployment rate was 10.2%, with females facing a higher rate (11%) than their male counterparts (9.8%).
The UTs of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands had the highest youth unemployment rates at 36.2% and 33.6%, respectively.
In Lakshadweep, an alarming 79.7% of females in the 15-29 age group are unemployed.
On a broader scale, India’s overall unemployment rate for those aged 15 and above remained steady at 3.2% for 2023-24.
However, the unemployment rate for females rose slightly to 3.2% from 2.9% the previous year.
The data further revealed that youth joblessness was higher in urban areas, with an unemployment rate of 14.7%, compared to 8.5% in rural regions.
Female unemployment continues to be a significant issue in urban India, where it stands at 20.1%, compared to 8.2% in rural areas.
Despite the country’s strong economic growth, policymakers still face the challenge of creating sufficient job opportunities, particularly for young people.