Last month, rural unemployment eased to 4.4% from 4.6% in September, but urban unemployment rate climbed to 7% from 6.8%, according to the findings of a survey that covered 89,264 households and 374,164 people across rural and urban areas.
Among men, unemployment remained steady at 5.1%, while the rate for females improved to 5.4% from 5.5%.
The data reflects individuals aged 15 years and above who were jobless but actively seeking work. The figures are based on the current weekly status (CWS), which considers employment activity during the seven days preceding the survey.
Youth unemployment (15-29 years) declined marginally to 14.9% in October from 15% in the month before. While male jobless rate rose to 14% from 13.9%, the rate for young women fell to 17.1% from 17.8%.
Labour force participation risesIndia’s labour force participation rate (LFPR), the share of population working or seeking work, rose to a six-month high of 55.4% in October, up from 55.3% in September.
Female LFPR inched up to 34.2% in October from 34.1% in September, while male LFPR rose to 77.4% from 77.1%, marking its highest level in six months.
In rural areas, male LFPR increased to 78.4% in October from 78.1% in September, and female LFPR rose to 38.4% from 37.9%. In contrast, in urban areas, male participation remained steady at 75.3%, but female participation declined to 25.4% from 26.1%.
Data shows that youth LFPR increased to 41.6% in October compared with 41.3% in the month before. Female youth participation rose to 22.2% from 21.7%, and male youth participation went up to 61% from 60.7%.
The worker population ratio (WPR), or employment rate, edged up slightly to 52.5% in October compared with 52.4% in September. Female WPR rose slightly to 32.4% from 32.3%, while male WPR increased to 73.4% from 73.2%.