India unemployment holds steady at 5.2% in April while rural joblessness climbs to 4.6%

Published on 15 May 2026

Rural joblessness rose even as overall stayed flat

India’s unemployment rate stayed broadly stable at 5.2% in April 2026, according to the government’s Periodic Labour Force Survey monthly bulletin. The figure barely moved from 5.1% in March and matched April 2025 levels. Rural unemployment edged up to 4.6% from 4.3%, while urban unemployment slipped slightly to 6.6% from 6.8%. Labour force participation fell to 55.0%, with female LFPR declining too, and the worker population ratio eased modestly.

Overall unemployment rate held at 5.2% in April 2026
Rural unemployment rose to 4.6% from 4.3%
Urban unemployment eased to 6.6% from 6.8%
Labour force participation rate fell to 55.0% in April
Worker population ratio moderated to 52.2% from 52.6%

#india economy #plfs #labour force participation #unemployment #rural employment

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India unemployment holds steady at 5.2% in April while rural joblessness climbs to 4.6%

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