PLFS 2024: all-India unemployment rate (CWS) at 4.9%; LFPR steady at 56.2%
The NSO's Periodic Labour Force Survey indicators for calendar year 2024, released on 9 April 2025, put the all-India unemployment rate in Current Weekly Status at 4.9% (5.0% in 2023).
Summary
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released key employment and unemployment indicators of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for 2024 on 9 April 2025. In Current Weekly Status (CWS), the all-India unemployment rate fell marginally from 5.0% to 4.9%; the overall LFPR remained at 56.2% and the WPR moved from 53.4% to 53.5%. Urban LFPR rose from 50.3% to 51.0%; urban unemployment stayed at 6.7%, with urban female unemployment falling from 8.9% to 8.2% and urban male unemployment rising from 6.0% to 6.1%. In Principal and Subsidiary Status (PS+SS), the all-India LFPR moved from 59.8% to 59.6%, WPR from 58.0% to 57.7%, and the unemployment rate rose from 3.1% to 3.2%. The PLFS was launched by the NSO in April 2017.
Key facts
- Released
- 9 April 2025 (calendar year 2024)
- UR, CWS, all-India
- 5.0% → 4.9%
- LFPR, CWS, all-India
- 56.2% (unchanged)
- Urban UR, CWS
- 6.7% (female 8.9% → 8.2%)
- UR, PS+SS, all-India
- 3.1% → 3.2%
- PLFS launched
- April 2017, NSO
Practice MCQs 3 questions
According to PLFS 2024, what was the all-India unemployment rate in Current Weekly Status (CWS)?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 4.9%
4.9%, down from 5.0% in 2023; 6.7% is the urban rate and 3.2% the PS+SS rate.
Consider the following statements about PLFS 2024: 1. In CWS, urban female unemployment declined from 8.9% to 8.2%. 2. In Principal and Subsidiary Status (PS+SS), the all-India unemployment rate declined in 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Urban female unemployment (CWS) fell to 8.2%, but the PS+SS unemployment rate rose from 3.1% to 3.2%.
When did the National Statistics Office launch the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — April 2017
April 2017, to make labour force data available at more frequent intervals.