NEW DELHI: Unemployment in India has reached alarming levels, particularly in states like Kerala, despite the government’s claims of robust economic growth. While India is projecting a growth rate of 6.5% for the current fiscal year, data from the Labour Force Survey highlights a troubling increase in joblessness, especially among the youth.
In Kerala, the unemployment rate for individuals aged 15-29 has soared to 30%, with women facing an even higher rate of 47%, compared to 19% for men. Overall unemployment has risen from 2.9% to 3.2% in 2023-24, showing no significant improvement despite government assurances.
High youth unemployment is also a pressing issue in regions such as Kashmir, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, where 83% of unemployed individuals are young. Many are forced to accept low-paying jobs.
Economist Kunal Kundu has expressed concerns about the government’s employment strategies, suggesting that reliance on traditional sectors like infrastructure and manufacturing may not be enough to address the crisis. He cautioned that without a more effective plan, India risks squandering its demographic advantage.
Despite the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) promises to create jobs since 2014, unemployment remains a significant challenge. Data shows that while the unemployment rate was 3.4% in 2013-14, it only marginally decreased to 3.2% by 2022-23. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy reported a much higher rate of 7.6% in March 2024.
