Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

Periodic Labour Force Survey Latest News

Unemployment rate in urban areas during the third quarter (October-December) of FY25 remained unchanged at 6.4 per cent compared to the preceding quarter, according to the latest quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data. 

Periodic Labour Force Survey Key Findings

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above has increased from 49.9% during October – December, 2023 to 50.4% in quarter October – December, 2024.
  • LFPR for male of age 15 years and above in urban areas increased from 74.1% during October – December, 2023 to 75.4% during October – December, 2024 reflecting overall increasing trend in male LFPR.
  •  LFPR among female of age 15 years and above for urban areas increased from 25.0% during October – December, 2023 to 25.2% during October – December, 2024.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above has increased from 46.6% during October – December, 2023 to 47.2% in October – December, 2024.
  • WPR for male of age 15 years and above for urban areas increased from 69.8% in October – December, 2023 to 70.9% during October – December, 2024 reflecting overall increasing trend in male WPR.
• Unemployment Rate (UR) in urban areas among persons of age 15 years and above decreased from 6.5% during October – December, 2023 to 6.4% during October – December, 2024.
  • UR among males of age 15 years and above remained same as 5.8% during October – December, 2023 and October – December, 2024. UR among female of age 15 years and above decreased from 8.6 % in October – December, 2023 to 8.1% in October – December, 2024.
• The survey further showed that the jobless rate for the youth (15-29 age group) increased to 16.1 per cent in Q3FY25 from 15.8 per cent in the preceding quarter.

About Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

• Considering the importance of availability of labour force data at more frequent time intervals, National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has been conducting the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) since 2017.
• The objectives:
  • Primarily to estimate the key employment and unemployment indicators (viz. Worker Population Ratio, Labour Force Participation Rate, Unemployment Rate) in the short time interval of three months for the urban areas only in the ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS).
  • PLFS also estimate employment and unemployment indicators in both ‘Usual Status’ (ps+ss) and CWS in both rural and urban areas annually.
• This survey is conducted by the National Sample Survey (NSO), working under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Urban unemployment rate unchanged at 6.4% in Q3FY25, shows PLFS data

Periodic Labour Force Survey FAQs

Q1. What is periodic labour force survey (PLFs)?

Ans. The PLFS is the primary source of data on employment and unemployment situation in India.

Q2. Who published the periodic labour force survey?

Ans. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, has been conducting Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) since 2017.

Q3. What is the unemployment rate in India according to PLFs?

Ans. Unemployment Rate (UR) in usual status (ps+ss) was 3.2% for both male and female of age 15 years and above during July 2023 – June 2024.

Source: BS | PIB