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India's jobless rate steady at 5% in Sept 2026
15 Oct
Summary
- Overall unemployment remained at 5% in September 2026.
- Urban unemployment saw a slight increase to 6.9%.
- Rural female unemployment reached its lowest 2026 point.
The overall unemployment rate in India remained stable at 5% for persons aged 15 and above in September 2026. This figure represents a continued steady trend observed over recent months. The National Statistics Office's (NSO) Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) indicated that while the overall rate was consistent, urban unemployment experienced a slight increase, rising to 6.9% from 6.8% in August 2026.
Rural unemployment figures also saw minor fluctuations, with the rate at 4.2% in September 2026. A notable positive development was observed in rural female unemployment, which dropped to its lowest level of 2026. Overall male unemployment remained stable at 4.9%.
The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 and above increased slightly to 55.5% in September 2026 compared to the previous year. Urban LFPR also saw an uptick. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) also rose year-on-year, indicating a growing employment trend.
