J&K tops country’s jobless charts

Srinagar, Nov 21: In a shocking revelation that exposes Jammu and Kashmir's economic underbelly, the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey has revealed that J&K has a 32 percent unemployment rate among youth and a heart-stopping 53.6 percent joblessness among females - both unemployment rates are the highest in India.

A recently released Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has revealed alarming unemployment statistics, with Jammu and Kashmir emerging as the epicentre of youth joblessness in India.

The report paints a stark picture of the employment landscape, highlighting that J&K has recorded the highest unemployment rate of 32 percent among job seekers in the 15-29 age group in urban areas.

This figure stands in sharp contrast to more industrialised regions like Delhi, which reported a mere 4.3 percent unemployment rate for the same demographic.

Most significantly, the data exposes a gender-based unemployment crisis, with J&K recording an unprecedented 53.6 percent unemployment rate among females - the highest in the country.

The survey, covering the July-September quarter, revealed that the overall youth unemployment rate remained in double digits at 15.9 percent, though showing a marginal improvement from 16.8 percent in the previous quarter. Nationally, 20 out of 22 states and Union Territories reported double-digit unemployment rates.

Regional variations were stark. While J&K and Odisha struggled with high unemployment, states like Delhi and Gujarat demonstrated more robust job markets. Odisha recorded a 28.1 percent male unemployment rate, followed by Andhra Pradesh at 22.5 percent and Bihar at 21.5 percent.

“J&K’s heavy dependence on government sector employment has been a significant impediment to job creation. The private sector has not developed at the same pace as in other regions,” said a senior official.

The government has acknowledged these challenges, introducing incentive schemes to boost internships and create employment opportunities.

However, experts argue that more comprehensive, targeted interventions are necessary to address the structural unemployment issues.

The Directorate of Employment (DoE) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) reported that 3.52 lakh youth were registered as unemployed in the first quarter of 2024. Of these, 1.09 lakh are graduates and postgraduates, comprising 31 percent of the total.