PLFS Jan–Mar 2026: LFPR at 55.5%, 57.4 crore employed; rural regular wage share rises to 15.5%
On 11 May 2026 MoSPI's PLFS Quarterly Bulletin for January–March 2026 put the overall LFPR (15+, CWS) at 55.5% and estimated 57.4 crore persons employed, with urban unemployment on a declining trend.
Summary
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Quarterly Bulletin for January–March 2026, released by MoSPI on 11 May 2026, put the overall Labour Force Participation Rate for persons aged 15 and above at 55.5% under Current Weekly Status, against 55.8% in the previous quarter. The Worker Population Ratio was 52.8%, urban WPR held at 46.9%, and the urban unemployment rate showed a declining trend. In rural areas, regular wage/salaried employees rose to 15.5% from 14.8%, and the share of workers in agriculture fell to 55.8% from 58.5%. On average 57.4 crore persons aged 15+ were employed, 40.2 crore men and 17.2 crore women; this is the fourth bulletin covering both rural and urban India since the survey was revamped in January 2025.
Key facts
- LFPR (15+, CWS)
- 55.5%; previous quarter 55.8%
- WPR
- 52.8% overall; urban 46.9%
- Rural regular wage share
- 15.5% (from 14.8%)
- Rural agriculture share
- 55.8% (from 58.5%)
- Employed
- 57.4 crore (40.2 crore men, 17.2 crore women)
- Series
- 4th quarterly bulletin with rural + urban data; PLFS revamped Jan 2025
Practice MCQs 2 questions
As per the PLFS Quarterly Bulletin for January–March 2026, what was the overall LFPR for persons aged 15 years and above (CWS)?
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Correct answer: D — 55.5%
Overall LFPR was 55.5%; 55.8% was the previous quarter, 52.8% the WPR and 58.2% the rural LFPR.
Consider the following statements about the PLFS Quarterly Bulletin for January–March 2026: 1. The share of rural workers engaged in agriculture rose compared with the previous quarter. 2. On average, 57.4 crore persons aged 15 years and above were employed during the quarter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The rural share of workers in agriculture fell to 55.8% from 58.5% in October–December 2025.