Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report Highlights Stable Labour Participation and Improved Employment Trends in 2025 The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report for 2025 reveals a stable Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and notable improvements in employment trends across various demographics. The LFPR for persons aged 15 years and above remained unchanged at 59.3% in 2025, with male participation at 79.1% and female participation at 40.0%, consistent with 2024 levels. Rural male participation held steady at 80.5%, while rural female participation remained at 45.9%, reflecting sustained gains in labor engagement. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) also remained stable at 57.4% for the age group 15 and above, with rural male WPR at 78.4% and rural female WPR at 44.9%. Urban WPR maintained nearly 50.0%, indicating balanced labor market dynamics. Unemployment rates showed marginal improvements, with the overall rate at 3.1% for both genders. Urban unemployment decreased slightly to 4.8%, while rural unemployment stood at 2.4%, highlighting stronger rural labor absorption. Female unemployment rates remained low, with rural female unemployment at 2.1% compared to 2.6% for rural males. Educated individuals saw reduced unemployment, with the rate among those with secondary and higher education dropping to 6.5% in 2025 from 7.0% in 2024. Urban female unemployment fell to 6.4% from 6.7%, reflecting progress in gender equity. The proportion of workers in regular wage/salaried employment increased to 23.6% from 22.4%, driven by a decline in self-employment (from 58.2% in 2023 to 56.2% in 2025) and growth in formal employment. Sectoral shifts were evident, with manufacturing showing increased worker engagement (11.6% to 12.#india #periodic_labour_force_survey #labour_force_participation_rate #worker_population_ratio #unemployment_rates
