Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

Why in News? The

data for July-September 2025 was released.
• It shows a decline in rural unemployment rate and slight increase in urban unemployment, indicating changing patterns of labour and seasonal trends of employment.
Key Highlights Investment:
1. Overall Unemployment Rate:
• National (15 years and above):
◦ Declined to 5.2% (July-September 2025) as compared to 5.4% (April-June 2025).
2. Rural-Urban Trends
• Rural:
◦ Unemployment decreased to 4.4% as compared to 4.8%
◦ Indicates increased employment in seasonal agriculture.
• Urban:
◦ Unemployment slightly increased.
 Males: 6.2% (up from 6.1%)
 Females: 9.0% (up from 8.9%)
Pattern of Employment:
• Rural:
◦ Self-employment continued to dominate – increased to 62.8% (from 60.7%).
◦ Majority remained in agriculture – share increased to 57.7% (from 53.5%).
◦ Increase attributable to seasonal agricultural activities.
• Urban:
◦ Regular wage/salaried jobs slightly increased to 49.8% (from 49.4%).
◦ Tertiary sector remained dominant – 62% share (from 61.7

Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR):
• Female LFPR (15 years and above):
o Rise to 33.7% (up from 33.4%).
o Rural female LFPR saw growth from 37.0% to 37.5%.
o Suggests continuing improvement in female labour force participation.

Employment Numbers:
• Total employed persons (15+ years): 56.2 crore.
• Males: 39.6 crore.
• Females: 16.6 crore.

Sectoral Distribution:
Region Dominant Sector Share (Jul–Sep 2025) Previous Quarter
Rural Agriculture 57.7% 53.5%
Urban Tertiary 62.0% 61.7%

Significance / Analysis
• Positive: Decline in rural unemployment indicates strong growth from the seasonal and self-employed.
• Concern: Minor rise in urban unemployment, especially for women.
• Trend: India’s employment structure is, and remains, agrarian and service-led with limited industrial absorption of labour.
• Policy Implication: There is a need for sustained creation of rural non-farm employment and urban jobs in the formal sector.