PLFS September 2026: unemployment rate steady at 5.0%, LFPR at 55.5%
The PLFS Monthly Bulletin for September 2026, released on 15 October 2026, put the unemployment rate (15+ years, CWS) at 5.0%, LFPR at 55.5% and WPR at 52.7%.
Summary
The National Statistics Office (NSO) under MoSPI released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin for September 2026 on 15 October 2026, the eighteenth in the monthly series. The overall unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above (Current Weekly Status) stayed at 5.0%, 0.2 percentage points lower than in September 2025; rural UR was 4.2% and urban UR 6.9%. The overall labour force participation rate was 55.5%, the worker population ratio 52.7%, and urban female LFPR rose to 25.9%, its highest since October 2025.
Key facts
- Survey
- Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin – September 2026 (18th in series)
- Released by
- NSO, MoSPI – 15 October 2026
- Unemployment rate (15+, CWS)
- 5.0% (rural 4.2%, urban 6.9%)
- LFPR (15+)
- 55.5%
- WPR (15+)
- 52.7%
- Female LFPR
- 34.6% (urban female 25.9%, highest since Oct 2025)
- Rural female UR
- 3.9%, lowest in 2026
- Method
- Current Weekly Status (CWS); monthly estimates since January 2025 revision
Practice MCQs 3 questions
According to the PLFS Monthly Bulletin for September 2026, what was the overall unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 5.0%
Consider the following statements about the PLFS Monthly Bulletin for September 2026: 1. It is released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) of MoSPI. 2. Its estimates follow the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
What was the overall Labour Force Participation Rate (15+ years) in September 2026 as per PLFS?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 55.5%