Kerala reports highest youth unemployment rate, Madhya Pradesh lowest: Official data

Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have emerged as the best performers, boasting the lowest youth unemployment rates, while Kerala struggles with one of the highest

PGurus Newsdesk

September 25, 2024

Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat have emerged as the best performers, boasting the lowest youth unemployment rates, while Kerala struggles with one of the highest

Youth unemployment rate in Kerala among highest in India

Kerala has emerged as one of the states with the highest youth unemployment rates in India, while Madhya Pradesh recorded thelowestfollowedby Gujarat, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the statistics office.

The survey, published on Monday, highlights significant disparities in joblessness among different regions and demographics.

The data reveals that Kerala’s unemployment rate for the 15-29 age group stands at a staggering 29.9%. Within this demographic, female unemployment is particularly alarming at 47.1%, while male unemployment is reported at 19.3%.

Nationally, the overall unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above remained steady at 3.2% for the 2023-24 period. However, the joblessness rate for females rose slightly from 2.9% to 3.2%. Youth unemployment remains a pressing concern, with a rate of 10.2% for those aged 15-29—up from 10% in the previous year. This breakdown shows that female youth unemployment is at 11%, while male youth unemployment is slightly lower at 9.8%.

The persistent issue of youth unemployment has prompted policymakers to implement various measures aimed at job creation. Experts have expressed concern that despite a projected economic growth rate of over 7%, the job market is not generating enough opportunities for young people.

The union territory of Lakshadweep reported the highest unemployment rate in the 15-29 age category, reaching 36.2%. Female joblessness in this region is strikingly high at 79.7%, compared to 26.2% for males. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands followed closely with a youth unemployment rate of 33.6%, where female unemployment stands at 49.5% and male unemployment at 24%.

States like Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh also reported elevated youth unemployment rates, while Goa recorded a rate of 19.1%. Overall, 24 states and union territories reported double-digit unemployment rates during the July 2023 to June 2024 period.

In urban areas, the youth unemployment rate reached 14.7%, compared to a lower rate of 8.5% in rural regions. Additionally, the joblessness rate among females in urban settings is significantly higher at 20.1%, while it is at 8.2% in rural areas.

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