Unemployment rates decline across social and religious groups

Employment has improved across social and religious categories

The government’s slogan of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (development for all) seems to be translating into tangible progress on the jobs front, according to a Moneycontrol analysis of Periodic Labour Force Survey data.

The analysis shows that Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes have significantly reduced the unemployment rate over the past seven years compared with the general category.

However, in urban areas, unemployment rates among these categories were still higher compared with the general category in 2023-24. Further analysis shows that the gains have accrued to men more than women. Male unemployment rate was reduced faster for SCs, STs, and OBCs than for women between 2017-18 and 2023-24. But in the case of “others”, which pertains to the general category, women’s unemployment reduction was faster than men’s.

Among religious classes, Sikhs witnessed the least progress in the past seven years. The community’s unemployment rate was the highest compared with other religious groups, and it only declined 1.1 percentage points to 5.8 percent between 2017-18 and 2023-24.

In contrast, the unemployment reduction for Christians was 4 percentage points, and for Muslims, it was 4.1 percentage points.

The benefits were not limited to men. Among women, the unemployment rate was reduced by 5.1 percentage points in Muslims and 6 percentage points in Christians. The reduction in urban areas was much higher at 8 percentage points and 7.8 percentage points, respectively.

Labour force participation was up across social and religious groups. Moneycontrol takes a look at the data:

SC, OBCs have done better on unemployment reduction in 7 years

But the gains have mostly accrued to men

Sikhs have witnessed the least progress in employment

Women’s situation has improved, owing to the reduction in urban unemployment