New Delhi, June 15: The urban unemployment rate in India for individuals aged 15 and above has decreased to 6.4% in May 2026, down from 6.9% in the same month last year. Additionally, the unemployment rate for women in urban areas has also fallen to a record low of 8.2%. This information was released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Monday.
The official statement noted that there was no change in the overall unemployment rate, with the rural unemployment rate remaining stable at 5.1%.
The overall labor force participation rate (LFPR) was recorded at 54.4% in May, slightly down from 54.8% in the same month last year, indicating minimal change.
Similarly, the total worker participation rate (WPR) remained steady at 51.4%, compared to 51.7% in May of the previous year.
The NSO conducts the Periodic Labor Force Survey (PLFS), which serves as the primary source of data related to participation in labor activities, employment, and unemployment conditions.
To provide monthly and quarterly estimates of labor force indicators for the country, the methodology of the PLFS survey was revised in January 2025.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Statistics, urban unemployment decreased during the January-March quarter of the current year, while rural employment saw growth in both the secondary and tertiary sectors.
A downward trend was observed in the urban unemployment rate for those aged 15 and above; it was 6.6% in the January-March quarter, compared to 6.7% in the previous quarter.
The results of the PLFS are published monthly in a bulletin, which includes estimates of key labor market indicators such as LFPR, WPR, and unemployment rates based on the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.
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