SRINAGAR, Nov 21 (Agencies): Jammu and Kashmir recorded the highest urban youth unemployment rate at 32 per cent among jobseekers aged 15 to 29 during the July-September quarter, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). The Times of India reported that Odisha followed closely with a youth unemployment rate of 30.4 per cent, while Delhi had the lowest rate at 4.3 per cent, followed by Gujarat at 8.3 per cent.
The nationwide urban youth unemployment rate stood at 15.9 per cent for the quarter, marking an improvement from 16.8 per cent in the preceding April-June period. Overall unemployment across all age groups in urban areas also reached a record low of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.6 per cent in the previous quarter, indicating continued recovery in the labour market post-Covid-19.
Youth unemployment remains a pressing concern, with rates consistently in double digits across most regions. Among 22 states and union territories covered, 20 reported double-digit unemployment rates for the 15-29 age group.
The report highlighted stark gender disparities, with the overall unemployment rate among females at 21 per cent, a slight drop from 23 per cent in the previous quarter. Jammu and Kashmir reported the highest female unemployment rate at 53.6 per cent, followed by Himachal Pradesh at 43.9 per cent and Assam at 39.3 per cent. In contrast, Delhi and Gujarat recorded the lowest rates at 1.8 per cent and 5.3 per cent, respectively. For males, Odisha had the highest unemployment rate at 28.1 per cent, followed by Andhra Pradesh at 22.5 per cent and Bihar at 21.5 per cent. Delhi again fared the best, with a male unemployment rate of 5 per cent, followed by Himachal Pradesh at 6 per cent, according to the newspaper.