Unemployment Rate up a Tad to 5% in January, Higher Rise for Females

Why It Matters

The widening gender gap and rising youth unemployment signal structural challenges that could constrain India’s growth potential and strain social stability. Policymakers must address these trends to sustain inclusive economic expansion.

Key Takeaways

• Female unemployment rose to 5.6%, outpacing men.
• Urban joblessness hit 7%, highest since 2024.
• Youth unemployment climbed to 14.7% in January.
• Labour force participation slipped to 55.9% overall.
• Rural unemployment edged up to 4.2% in January.

Pulse Analysis

India’s labour market has entered a delicate phase, with the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey showing a modest uptick in overall unemployment. While a 0.2‑percentage‑point rise may appear marginal, it reflects underlying pressures from a slowing post‑pandemic recovery and tighter credit conditions. Urban centres, traditionally the engine of job creation, now register a 7 % unemployment rate, suggesting that sectors such as manufacturing and services are not absorbing new entrants as quickly as before. This backdrop sets the stage for a broader debate on how macro‑policy can reignite demand without stoking inflation.

The gender disparity highlighted by the data is particularly striking. Female unemployment surged to 5.6 %, outpacing male rates and widening the existing participation gap. Cultural norms, limited access to skill‑building programs, and safety concerns continue to hinder women’s entry into the formal workforce. Addressing these barriers—through targeted upskilling, flexible work arrangements, and stronger enforcement of gender‑friendly labour laws—could unlock a significant productivity boost, given that women constitute roughly a third of the working‑age population.

Youth unemployment, now at 14.7 %, underscores the urgency of aligning education outcomes with market needs. The rise is driven largely by female youth, indicating that early‑career support mechanisms are insufficient. Strengthening vocational training, expanding apprenticeship schemes, and fostering entrepreneurship ecosystems can help bridge the skills mismatch. If left unchecked, high youth joblessness may erode consumer confidence and fuel social discontent, hampering India’s long‑term growth trajectory.

Unemployment rate up a tad to 5% in January, higher rise for females

ET Bureau · Feb 17 2026, 12:28 AM IST

New Delhi: India’s unemployment rate increased slightly to 5 % in January from 4.8 % in December last year, with joblessness rising more sharply among women than men, official data released on Monday showed.

The female unemployment rate rose to 5.6 % in January from 4.9 % the previous month, while the male rate went up marginally to 4.8 % from 4.7 %.

The overall jobless rate in rural areas edged up to 4.2 % in January from 3.9 % a month earlier, and urban unemployment rose to 7 % from 6.7 %, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).

The data covers individuals aged 15 years and above who were unemployed but actively seeking work. The figures are based on the current weekly status (CWS), which tracks employment or job‑seeking activity in the seven days preceding the survey.

Youth unemployment (ages 15‑29) rose to 14.7 % in January from 14.4 % in December 2025, driven mainly by an increase in female joblessness even as the male youth unemployment rate fell.

The survey covered 89,312 households and 374,158 people across rural and urban areas.

Fall in participation

The labour‑force participation rate (LFPR) – the share of the population working or seeking work – fell to 55.9 % in January from 56.1 % a month ago. Male and female LFPR fell to 77.6 % and 35.1 %, respectively. In rural areas, LFPR slipped to 58.7 % in January from 59 % the previous month, while in urban areas it increased marginally to 50.3 % from 50.2 %.

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Synopsis

India’s unemployment rate saw a slight increase in January, reaching 5 %. Joblessness rose more significantly for women compared to men. Rural unemployment edged up, while urban unemployment also increased. The labour‑force participation rate experienced a minor dip. Youth unemployment also saw a rise, primarily driven by female joblessness.