India Records 17 Crore New Jobs in Six-Year Period
Labour Force Participation and Worker Population Ratio show steady improvement, with 1.56 crore women joining the formal workforce.
India has witnessed a significant surge in employment over the past six years, with the unemployment rate falling from 6.0% in 2017–18 to 3.2% in 2023–24, according to an official statement released on Saturday. During this period, 1.56 crore women joined the formal workforce, reflecting growing female participation in India’s economy.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment reported that total employment in the country rose to 64.33 crore in 2023–24 from 47.5 crore in 2017–18, marking a net addition of 16.83 crore jobs. The growth underscores the government’s focus on youth-centric policies and its vision for a “Viksit Bharat.”
“This growth is especially significant as GDP alone cannot fully capture a nation’s development. A more accurate picture emerges when multiple macroeconomic indicators, including employment, are considered,” the statement said.
Recent data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) indicates further improvement in employment indicators between June and August 2025. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) increased from 54.2% in June to 55% in August, while the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) rose from 51.2% to 52.2%, reflecting gains across both rural and urban areas.
Looking at longer-term trends, LFPR for individuals aged 15 and above rose from 49.8% in 2017–18 to 60.1% in 2023–24, while WPR increased from 46.8% to 58.2%. Sectoral employment trends show agriculture remains the primary employer in rural areas, engaging 44.6% of men and 70.9% of women, whereas the tertiary sector dominates urban employment with 60.6% of men and 64.9% of women.
During the April-June 2025 quarter, an average of 56.4 crore people aged 15 and above were employed, comprising 39.7 crore men and 16.7 crore women. Employment in the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) also rose, with over 1.29 crore net subscribers added in 2024–25, up from 61.12 lakh in 2018–19.
Notably, self-employment increased from 52.2% in 2017–18 to 58.4% in 2023–24, while casual labour fell from 24.9% to 19.8%, indicating a shift toward entrepreneurial and independent work, supported by government initiatives.
“Employment carries both economic and social weight. Higher job levels signal a stronger economy, stimulate consumption, and fuel sustained growth. Meaningful development requires economic expansion to translate into productive, well-paying jobs that enhance livelihoods and social stability,” the statement concluded.
