In a major shift toward more frequent economic transparency, the Indian government will begin publishing monthly unemployment data starting May 15, 2025, a senior official from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation confirmed.
The first release will cover data from January, February, and March 2025, after which updates will be issued monthly. This marks a significant change from the current system, where urban unemployment figures were released quarterly and nationwide figures (rural + urban) were shared annually.
“This is the first time we’re moving to monthly reporting,” the official said. “We’ve strengthened our methodology to ensure the data is both reliable and representative.”
Boost in Employment from Manufacturing Sector
According to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), India’s overall unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above stood at 4.9% in 2024, slightly down from 5.0% in 2023. The report also indicated that employment in manufacturing picked up notably in FY23.
In urban areas, the unemployment rate for the October–December 2024 quarter was 6.4%, while rural areas recorded a lower 4.2%—highlighting a persistent urban-rural divide in joblessness.
Data Transparency on the Rise
Officials say this shift toward high-frequency reporting is part of a broader move to improve data transparency and policymaking. “Data is the new oil,” said the ministry official. “Timely and accurate data is critical, and Indian data is already seen as credible and transparent globally.”
In addition to unemployment statistics, the government plans to:
- Release private capital expenditure data by the end of April
- Begin quarterly rural labour force reports
- Publish quarterly informal sector data using unregistered business surveys
- Launch a new survey of service sector businesses starting next year
CMIE vs Government Data
Meanwhile, independent data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) paints a slightly different picture. CMIE reported an 8.65% unemployment rate in December 2024, with urban unemployment at 10.08% and rural at 7.97%. Differences stem from varied survey methods and sample sizes.
With both public and private data sources expanding, India is set to offer a clearer, more frequent view of its labor market—a vital step in tackling unemployment and boosting investor confidence.
