What was the unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above in rural India during the period 2022-23, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) annual report 2022-23?​

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) 2.4%

• According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report 2022-23, the unemployment rate (UR) for persons aged 15 years and above in rural India was 2.4% during the period from July 2022 to June 2023.

• This marked a decrease from 3.2% in the previous year (2021-22), indicating a declining trend in unemployment in rural areas.

• The unemployment rate is defined as the percentage of persons unemployed among the persons in the labour force.

• The report also highlighted an increase in the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in rural areas, suggesting a growing engagement of the rural population in economic activities.

• The unemployment rate for urban India during the same period was 5.4%, reflecting a higher unemployment rate compared to rural areas.

Information Booster:

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): The LFPR in rural areas increased from 50.7% in 2017-18 to 60.8% in 2022-23, indicating a higher proportion of the rural population is actively participating in the labour market.

• Worker Population Ratio (WPR): The WPR in rural areas rose from 48.1% in 2017-18 to 59.4% in 2022-23, reflecting an increase in the proportion of the rural population that is employed.

• Gender Disparity: The unemployment rate for females in rural areas was 2.9%, slightly higher than the male unemployment rate of 2.7%, indicating a persistent gender gap in employment opportunities.

• State-wise Variation: States like Assam and Gujarat reported low unemployment rates of 1.7%, while states such as Kerala had higher rates at 7.0%, highlighting regional disparities in employment.

• Economic Implications: The decline in the unemployment rate in rural areas suggests improvements in rural employment, potentially due to government schemes, agricultural growth, and increased rural industrialization.

• Policy Considerations: Continuous monitoring and targeted policies are essential to sustain this positive trend and address regional and gender disparities in employment.

Additional Information:

• Mizoram: The unemployment rate in Mizoram was reported at 2.2% during the same period.

• Maharashtra: Maharashtra had an unemployment rate of 3.1%, indicating a moderate level of unemployment.

• Kerala: Kerala's unemployment rate was higher at 7.0%, reflecting challenges in the state's labour market.

• Goa: Goa reported the highest unemployment rate among states at 9.7%, signaling significant employment issues.

• Delhi: Delhi's unemployment rate was 1.9%, one of the lowest among states.