Significant Decline in Unemployment Rates Among Tribal Communities and Youth

The unemployment rate among tribal communities fell to 1.8% in 2022-23 from 3.4% in 2019-20. Rural and urban unemployment rates also declined, matching a positive trend in labor participation. Employment grew significantly from 2014-15, indicating robust job creation efforts.

The unemployment rate among tribal communities has witnessed a remarkable decline, falling to 1.8 per cent in 2022-23, according to Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, who spoke in the Lok Sabha. Data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) showed the unemployment rate for tribal communities was 3.4 per cent in 2019-20, 2.7 per cent in 2020-21, and 2.4 per cent in 2021-22.

In rural areas, the unemployment rate dropped from 5.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 2.4 per cent in 2022-23. Urban areas also saw a reduction, from 7.7 per cent to 5.4 per cent in the same period. Female unemployment rates notably decreased from 5.6 per cent in 2017-18 to 2.9 per cent in 2022-23.

Youth unemployment also saw a decline, from 17.8 per cent to 10 per cent during the same period. The PLFS data over the last six years demonstrates an upward trend in labor participation and worker population ratios. Employment increased from 46.8 per cent in 2017-18 to 56 per cent in 2022-23.

Labour force participation rose from 49.8 per cent in 2017-18 to 57.9 per cent in 2022-23. The overall unemployment rate declined from 6 per cent in 2017-18 to 3.2 per cent in 2022-23, reflecting a higher growth in job opportunities (3.1 per cent in Worker Population Ratio) than demand (2.7 per cent in Labour Force Participation Rate).

In her written reply to the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister highlighted that the youth unemployment rate stood at 3.2 per cent in 2022-23, down from 4.1 per cent in 2021-22. According to the latest KLEMS data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), employment in the country reached 64.33 crore in 2023-24, up from 47.15 crore in 2014-15, marking an increase of approximately 17.19 crore jobs.

(With inputs from agencies.)