Urban unemployment falls to 3-month low of 6.6% in February, women gain the most

Unemployment data for February

Urban unemployment declined to a three-month low in February, as women saw the biggest improvement in labour market outcomes, the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) monthly bulletin released by the government on March 16 shows.

Urban unemployment rate fell to 6.6 percent in February from 7 percent in the previous month, signalling a recovery in jobs in cities. Rural unemployment remained unchanged at 4.2 percent, lowering the overall unemployment rate to 4.9 percent from 5 percent in the previous month.

Women recorded the most significant improvement in employment indicators. The female unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 percent from 5.6 percent in January, with declines seen in both rural and urban areas.

Urban female unemployment fell to 8.7 percent from 9.8 percent, while rural female unemployment eased to 4.0 percent from 4.3 percent.

The improvement also coincided with a modest rise in workforce participation among women. The female worker population ratio (WPR) increased to 33.4 percent in February from 33.1 percent in the previous month, reflecting gains in both rural and urban employment.

Overall labour market participation remained broadly stable. The labour force participation rate for people aged 15 years and above remained unchanged at 55.9 percent in February, while the urban LFPR edged slightly higher to 50.4 percent.