Employment in India increased to 64.33 crore in 2023–24, up from 47.5 crore in 2017–18, adding 16.83 crore jobs over six years, according to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The unemployment rate dropped from 6.0% in 2017–18 to 3.2% in 2023–24.
India Adds 16.83 Crore Jobs in Six Years, Employment Rises to 64.33 Crore in 2023–24
Around 1.56 crore women joined the formal workforce over the past seven years.
The official statement emphasized that GDP alone does not fully capture national development, and employment is a critical macroeconomic indicator.
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for June–August 2025 showed improvements in both Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and Worker Population Ratio (WPR).
LFPR, which measures the share of people aged 15+ working or seeking work, rose from 54.2% in June to 55% in August 2025.
WPR, reflecting the share of employed persons in the population, increased from 51.2% in June to 52.2% in August 2025.
WPR improvements were observed in both rural and urban areas, contributing to overall national growth.
LFPR for individuals aged 15+ increased from 49.8% in 2017–18 to 60.1% in 2023–24.
WPR for the same age group rose from 46.8% to 58.2% over the same period.
In April–June 2025, the agriculture sector employed the majority of rural workers: 44.6% of men and 70.9% of women.
Tertiary Sector Becomes Largest Source of Urban Employment, Engaging 60.6% of Men and 64.9% of Women
The tertiary sector was the largest source of urban employment, engaging 60.6% of men and 64.9% of women.
On average, 56.4 crore people aged 15+ were employed in the April–June 2025 quarter, with 39.7 crore men and 16.7 crore women.
Over 1.29 crore net subscribers were added to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in 2024–25, up from 61.12 lakh in 2018–19.
Self-employment increased from 52.2% in 2017–18 to 58.4% in 2023–24, while casual labour fell from 24.9% to 19.8%, indicating a shift toward independent and entrepreneurial work.
The government highlighted that employment not only strengthens the economy but also stimulates consumption, supports sustained growth, and enhances social stability.
The statement noted that meaningful development requires economic growth to translate into productive, well-paying jobs that improve livelihoods.
