Female jobless rate hits a 3-month high

NEW DELHI: The unemployment rate for those in the age group of 15 years and above edged up marginally in September, while the rate for females rose to a three-month high, the monthly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) showed on Wednesday.The data showed that the unemployment rate for those in the age bracket of 15 years and above increased marginally to 5.2% in September from 5.1% in August after declining in the past two months. For all age groups, the rate rose to a three-month high of 5.3% from 5.1% in Aug.The joblessness rate in rural areas for those in the age group of 15 years and above climbed to a three-month high of 4.6% in September from 4.3% in August.

In urban areas, the rate moved up to 6.8% from 6.7% in August. The rate for males in rural areas moved up marginally to 4.7% in September from 4.5% in August, while for females it rose to 4.3% from 4% in August. In urban areas, the joblessness rate for women shot up to 9.3% in September from 8.9% in August, while for males it moved up to 6% from 5.9%.The data showed the overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for those in the age group of 15 years and above continued to increase for the third month in a row, rising from 54.2% in June 2025 to 55.3% in September, a five-month high.

LFPR in rural areas increased from 56.1% in June 2025 to 57.4% in September LFPR in urban areas remained unchanged at 50.9% compared to Aug. LFPR for females in the age group of 15 years and above in Sept was 34.1%, the highest level since May 2025.