The unemployment rate in India has increased in a month. According to the data of the Government of India itself, the unemployment rate in February 2026 was 4.9 percent but in March 2026 the unemployment rate reached 5.1 percent. According to the survey, this increase has happened due to increase in unemployment in cities. The population of urban areas which was 6.6 percent in February increased to 6.8 percent in March.
The Labor Force Survey (PLFS) conducted at regular intervals by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation is the primary source of data on population participation, employment and unemployment status. The data of this survey has been released on Wednesday. According to these data, the unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above has increased to 5.1 percent in March this year.
Unemployment increased in urban areas
Let us inform that the methodology of PLFS survey has been changed from January 2025 so that monthly and quarterly estimates of work force indicators can be prepared for the country. Monthly bulletins for the period April, 2025 to February, 2026 have already been issued. The present monthly bulletin for March, 2026 is the 12th bulletin of this series. A statement issued on PLFS said that the unemployment rate among persons aged 15 years and above has increased marginally to 5.1 percent in March, 2026 from 4.9 percent in February, 2026. This increase is mainly due to the increase in urban unemployment rate which increased to 6.8 percent in March 2026 whereas it was 6.6 percent in February last month.
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According to the statement, the unemployment rate among rural women aged 15 years and above remained almost stable in March, 2026, while the unemployment rate among men of the same age group was marginally higher in March, 2026 as compared to February, 2026. Female unemployment rate in rural areas remained stable in March, 2026. At the all-India level, the monthly estimates are based on information obtained from a survey of a total of 3,75,262 individuals. The urban labor force participation rate (LFPR) is showing a stable trend. The overall labor force participation rate among persons aged 15 years and above was recorded at 55.4 percent in March, 2026, which is slightly lower than 55.9 percent in February, 2026.
Stability in LFPR and WPR
LFPR in rural areas was 58 percent in March, 2026 while it was 58.7 percent in February, 2026. At the same time, LFPR remained almost stable in urban areas. According to the statement, the female labor force participation rate stood at 34.4 percent in March this year, whereas it was 35.3 percent in February 2026. Female LFPR in rural areas stood at 38.9 percent in March 2026, while in urban areas it was 25.2 percent.
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According to the statement, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for the age group 15 years and above remained broadly stable in urban areas last month. The overall WPR last month is estimated at 52.6 percent. In rural areas, the WPR in March, 2026 was 55.5 percent while in February, 2026 it was 56.3 percent. At the same time, WPR in urban areas was 46.8 percent in March, 2026 while it was 47 percent in February, 2026.
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