PLFS October–December 2025: LFPR rises to 55.8%, female LFPR to 34.9%
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Periodic Labour Force Survey quarterly bulletin for October–December 2025 on 10 February 2026, showing labour force participation rising to 55.8%.
Summary
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) quarterly bulletin for October–December 2025 on 10 February 2026. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 and above rose to 55.8% from 55.1% in July–September 2025, and female LFPR rose to 34.9% from 33.7%, driven by rural women (39.4%). The Worker Population Ratio rose to 53.1% from 52.2%. The unemployment rate fell to 4.0% in rural areas (from 4.4%) and to 6.7% in urban areas (from 6.9%). Agriculture employed 58.5% of rural workers. The bulletin is the third in the series covering both rural and urban areas, after the PLFS sampling was revamped from January 2025.
Key facts
- Released
- 10 February 2026
- LFPR (15+)
- 55.8% (from 55.1%)
- Female LFPR
- 34.9% (from 33.7%)
- WPR
- 53.1% (from 52.2%)
- Unemployment rate
- Rural 4.0%, urban 6.7%
- Series
- Third quarterly bulletin with rural and urban estimates
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What was India's Labour Force Participation Rate (15 years and above) in October–December 2025, as per the PLFS quarterly bulletin released on 10 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 55.8%
Overall LFPR rose to 55.8% from 55.1% in July–September 2025.
Female LFPR (15 years and above) in October–December 2025 rose to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 34.9%
Female LFPR rose to 34.9% from 33.7%, driven by rural female LFPR rising to 39.4%.
Consider the following about the PLFS quarterly bulletin for October–December 2025: 1. The urban unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above fell to 6.7%. 2. It is the first quarterly bulletin to give estimates for rural areas. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Urban unemployment fell to 6.7% from 6.9%. The April–June 2025 bulletin was the first with rural and urban estimates; October–December 2025 is the third.