In response to a question in the Lok Sabha on November 25, 2024, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, revealed that the unemployment rate for Indian youth aged 15–29 years for 2023-24 stands at 10.2%. This figure, while relatively high, is still lower than global averages. According to a report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute for Human Development (IHD), the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6% in 2021, and 13.3% in 2023, as per the World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2024 by the ILO.
However, the government has acknowledged a significant increase in youth unemployment in India over the last few years. The youth unemployment rate, which was 3.2% in 2022-23, has now risen to 10.2%, signaling a notable rise in joblessness among young people, despite the government's claim that India's rates are lower than global levels.
The government has also emphasized the improvement in formal sector employment, citing data from the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), which showed that over 1.3 crore new net subscribers joined EPFO in 2023-24, indicating increased formalization of employment in the country. Additionally, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for youth has seen an increase from 31.4% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24, reflecting more youth engaged in work.
The total employment in India has also grown significantly, with a rise from 47.15 crore in 2014-15 to 64.33 crore in 2023-24, marking an increase of approximately 17 crore jobs during this period.
Despite these positive indicators, certain states in India are facing higher unemployment rates. Kerala leads with an unemployment rate of 29.9%, followed by other states such as Andhra Pradesh (17.5%), Punjab (18.8%), Goa (19.1%), and Manipur (22.9%), the latter also affected by ethnic conflict and violence over the last two years.
To address these challenges, the Indian government has introduced initiatives like the MY Bharat platform under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. This platform aims to provide youth with opportunities for engagement through internships and other activities to enhance their experience and foster better engagement with the workforce.
