PLFS February 2026: urban unemployment falls to 6.6%, female LFPR rises to 35.3%
The Periodic Labour Force Survey monthly bulletin released on 16 March 2026 shows urban unemployment for persons aged 15+ fell to 6.6% in February 2026 from 7.0% in January, while overall LFPR stayed at 55.9%.
Summary
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) monthly bulletin for February 2026, released by the National Statistics Office (MoSPI) on 16 March 2026, shows the urban unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above fell to 6.6% from 7.0% in January, while rural unemployment was unchanged at 4.2%. Overall labour force participation rate (LFPR) stayed at 55.9% and the worker population ratio (WPR) at 53.2%. Female LFPR rose to 35.3% from 35.1%, female WPR to 33.4% from 33.1%, and female unemployment fell to 5.1% from 5.6%. The estimates use the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach, and this is the eleventh monthly bulletin since the survey method changed in January 2025.
Key facts
- Released
- 16 March 2026, NSO (MoSPI)
- Urban UR (15+)
- 6.6% (Jan: 7.0%)
- Rural UR
- 4.2% (unchanged)
- Overall LFPR
- 55.9%
- Overall WPR
- 53.2%
- Female LFPR / WPR / UR
- 35.3% / 33.4% / 5.1%
- Approach
- Current Weekly Status (CWS)
- Bulletin no.
- 11th in the monthly series
Practice MCQs 3 questions
According to the PLFS monthly bulletin for February 2026, the urban unemployment rate (15+ years, CWS) was:
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Correct answer: C — 6.6%
Urban unemployment fell to 6.6% in February 2026 from 7.0% in January; rural unemployment was 4.2%.
PLFS monthly estimates of LFPR, WPR and unemployment rate are based on which approach?
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Correct answer: D — Current Weekly Status
The monthly bulletins present all-India estimates following the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach.
Consider the following about the PLFS bulletin for February 2026: 1. Female labour force participation rate (15+) rose compared with January 2026. 2. Rural unemployment rate fell sharply compared with January 2026. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: female LFPR rose to 35.3% from 35.1%. Statement 2 is wrong: rural unemployment was unchanged at 4.2%.