India’s Unemployment Holds Steady at 5.2% in October; Rise in Rural Female Workforce Boosts Labour Market
India’s unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above remained unchanged at 5.2% in October 2025, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The consistent trend follows unemployment levels of 5.2% in September, 5.1% in August, and 5.2% in July, indicating a stable labour market over recent months.
An official statement confirmed that the overall joblessness rate “remained unchanged at 5.2% between September and October 2025,” even as rural and urban trends moved in different directions.
Rural Improvement Mitigates Urban Job Rise
Rural unemployment recorded a modest decline, dropping from 4.6% in September to 4.4% in October. This positive shift was offset by a slight increase in urban unemployment, which rose from 6.8% to 7.0%, resulting in an overall steady national rate.
Female Participation Strengthens Labour Indicators
The October PLFS bulletin highlights continued progress in female workforce participation—especially in rural India.
-
Female unemployment eased to 5.4% in October, down from 5.5% in September.
-
Rural female unemployment saw a sharper decline from 4.3% to 4.0%, contributing significantly to the drop in overall female joblessness.
-
Rural female Worker Population Ratio (WPR) has grown for four consecutive months, rising from 33.6% in June to 36.9% in October.
This consistent rise points to stronger economic engagement of women in rural regions.
Male Employment Remains Steady
Unemployment among males stayed stable at 5.1% in October. A slight fall in rural male unemployment (from 4.7% to 4.6%) balanced a small increase in urban male unemployment (from 6.0% to 6.1%), resulting in overall stability.
Workforce Participation Reaches Six-Month High
Key labour indicators continue to move upward:
-
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) rose to 52.5% in October, extending a steady climb since June 2025.
-
The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) reached a six-month high of 55.4% in October, up from 54.2% in June.
Rural participation also strengthened, with rural LFPR increasing from 56.1% to 57.8% over the same period. Female LFPR climbed from 32.0% in June to 34.2% in October, marking its highest level since May 2025 and reflecting stronger engagement of women in the labour market.
Survey Based on Nation-Wide Sample
The findings draw on responses from 374,164 individuals across India, ensuring comprehensive monthly insights into employment conditions. With bulletins from April through September already released, the October update reinforces the trend of gradual labour market strengthening.
Conclusion: Stability with Encouraging Rural Momentum
India’s employment landscape in October 2025 remained broadly stable, supported by improving rural job conditions and a notable rise in female workforce participation. While urban unemployment edged upward, the overall gains—especially among rural women—signal a positive shift in the country’s labour dynamics.