Jammu Kashmir’s unemployment rate continues to soar, with the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) revealing a worrying trend.
The overall youth unemployment rate in urban areas rose steadily across three consecutive quarters in 2024, from 28.2% in January-March to 29.8% in April-June, and finally to 32.0% in July-September.
The data paints an even grimmer picture for young women aged 15-29, with 53.6% actively seeking jobs but unable to find work, the highest rate in India.
This figure starkly contrasts with the national average for young women’s unemployment, which stands at 21%.
Adding to the region’s economic struggles, Jammu and Kashmir also leads the country in the percentage distribution of employed persons aged 15 years and above across broad industries, with 24.61% employed according to the Current Weekly Status (CWS).
Despite this, many women are being pushed out of the formal job market into agriculture and other precarious, low-paying jobs.
The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Jammu and Kashmir further highlights the region’s unique challenges.
For urban females, the LFPR stands at 30.2%, second only to Himachal Pradesh, while the overall LFPR for the urban population is 50.4% during the July-September quarter.