Employment rose to 64.33 crore in 2023–24, unemployment fell to 3.2%: government explainer
On 4 October 2025, a government explainer citing the Labour Ministry said employment in India rose from 47.5 crore in 2017–18 to 64.33 crore in 2023–24, and unemployment fell from 6.0% to 3.2%.
Summary
On 4 October 2025, a government explainer on India's workforce, citing the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said employment rose from 47.5 crore in 2017–18 to 64.33 crore in 2023–24 — a net addition of 16.83 crore jobs in six years. The unemployment rate fell from 6.0% to 3.2% over the same period. Youth unemployment fell from 17.8% to 10.2%, below the global average of 13.3% reported by the ILO. Self-employment rose from 52.2% to 58.4% of workers, while casual labour fell from 24.9% to 19.8%. Women's worker population ratio rose from 22% to 40.3%. The EPFO added over 1.29 crore net subscribers in 2024–25, up from 61.12 lakh in 2018–19. The gig workforce is estimated to grow from 1 crore in 2024–25 to 2.35 crore by 2029–30.
Key facts
- Employment
- 47.5 cr (2017–18) → 64.33 cr (2023–24); +16.83 cr
- Unemployment
- 6.0% → 3.2%; youth 17.8% → 10.2%
- Work type
- Self-employed 52.2% → 58.4%; casual 24.9% → 19.8%
- EPFO
- 1.29 cr+ net subscribers in 2024–25
- Gig workers
- 1 cr (2024–25) → 2.35 cr (2029–30, est.)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
According to the government explainer of October 2025, what was India's unemployment rate in 2023–24?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 3.2%
PIB explainer: the unemployment rate fell sharply from 6.0% in 2017–18 to 3.2% in 2023–24.
Consider the following statements based on the government's October 2025 employment explainer: 1. EPFO added fewer than 1 crore net subscribers in 2024–25. 2. The share of self-employment fell from 58.4% in 2017–18 to 52.2% in 2023–24. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. PIB: EPFO added over 1.29 crore net subscribers in 2024–25 (up from 61.12 lakh in 2018–19). Self-employment rose (not fell) from 52.2% in 2017–18 to 58.4% in 2023–24, while casual labour fell from 24.9% to 19.8%.