Key facts
- India's unemployment rate held at 5% in September.
- The rate was below the 5.2% consensus forecast.
- Rural unemployment increased to 4.6% from 4.3% in August.
- Urban unemployment rose to 6.8% from 6.7% in August.
- Labor force participation rate fell to 55.5%.
India's unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above remained unchanged at 5% in September, according to government data released on Thursday. This figure was below the median market consensus of 5.2% and matched the five-month low from August, indicating continued resilience in the Indian labor market.
Rural unemployment saw a slight increase to 4.6% from 4.3% in August, while urban unemployment edged up to 6.8% from 6.7%. The labor force participation rate decreased marginally to 55.5% from 55.6% in the previous month, as a drop in rural participation offset a slight increase in urban participation.
Unemployment among women remained disproportionately affected. In urban areas, joblessness among women rose to 9.3% in September from 8.9% in August, and in rural areas, it climbed to 5.5% from 5.2%. The data is based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) using the current weekly status approach.