India's Unemployment Hits Six-Month High in April

India's unemployment rate for those aged 15 years and above surged to a six-month high of 5.2% in April, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released recently. This mirrors the rate last seen in October 2025, as stated by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

The survey reveals that while urban unemployment showed a slight improvement, dropping to 6.6% in April from 6.8% in March, rural joblessness saw a minor uptick to 4.6% from 4.3%. Despite these fluctuations, the report indicates overall stability in the unemployment rates compared to the previous year.

The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) also saw a marginal decline to 55% from 55.4% in March. Specifically, female participation faced a slight dip, with urban areas exhibiting a notable decrease. The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) remained stable in urban areas but saw a slight decrease overall.

(With inputs from agencies.)