PLFS September 2025: labour force participation at 55.3%, female LFPR at 34.1%, unemployment at 5.2%
The PLFS Monthly Bulletin for September 2025 showed labour force participation at a five-month high of 55.3%, female participation at 34.1% and unemployment up slightly to 5.2% (PIB, 15 October 2025).
Summary
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin for September 2025, released by NSO, MoSPI, PIB reported on 15 October 2025, showed the labour force participation rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 and above at a five-month high of 55.3%, up for the third month in a row from 54.2% in June. Female LFPR was 34.1%, the highest since May 2025, driven by rural women. The worker population ratio was 52.4%, also the highest since May. The unemployment rate rose marginally to 5.2% from 5.1% in August, with urban female unemployment at 9.3%. The estimates use the Current Weekly Status approach and are based on 3,75,703 persons surveyed; this is the sixth monthly bulletin since the methodology was modified from January 2025.
Key facts
- LFPR (15+)
- 55.3% — 5-month high
- Female LFPR
- 34.1% (32.0% in June)
- WPR
- 52.4%
- Unemployment rate
- 5.2% (5.1% in Aug)
- Urban female UR
- 9.3%
- Method
- Current Weekly Status; 3,75,703 persons; monthly since Jan 2025 revamp
Practice MCQs 3 questions
According to the PLFS Monthly Bulletin for September 2025, what was the overall labour force participation rate for persons aged 15 years and above?
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Correct answer: B — 55.3%
PIB: overall LFPR reached a five-month high of 55.3% in September 2025. 52.4% is the WPR and 57.4% the rural LFPR.
What was the female labour force participation rate (age 15+) in September 2025, as per PLFS?
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Correct answer: D — 34.1%
PIB: female LFPR in September 2025 was 34.1%, the highest since May 2025, up from 32.0% in June 2025.
Consider the following statements about the PLFS Monthly Bulletin for September 2025: 1. The unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above rose marginally to 5.2% from 5.1% in August 2025. 2. The PLFS methodology was modified from January 2025 to provide monthly and quarterly estimates. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: UR climbed marginally to 5.2% in September from 5.1% in August 2025; the PLFS methodology was modified from January 2025 to give monthly and quarterly estimates.