India`s unemployment rate hits six-month high of 5.2% in April
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has showed that India's unemployment rate (UR) among persons of age 15 years and above inched higher to 5.2% in April 2026 from 5.1% in the previous month, reflecting the highest ratio since October of the previous year. Urban UR eased marginally to 6.6% in April, 2026 from 6.8% in March, 2026, while the rural UR increased slightly to 4.6% from 4.3% during the same period. UR in both rural and urban areas maintained broadly the same level on year-on-year comparison.
The UR among male aged 15 years and above stood at 5.1% in April, 2026, compared to 5.0% in March, 2026 and 5.2% in April, 2025. Rural male UR estimated at 4.4% in March, 2026 against 4.7% in April, 2026. The urban male UR declined from 6.1% to 5.9% during the same period. On a year-on-year basis, overall male UR was lower by 0.1 percentage point. The UR among female aged 15 years and above was recorded at 5.4% in April, 2026, compared to 5.3% in March, 2026 and 5.0% in April, 2025. Rural female UR stood at 4.1% compared to 4.4% over the month. The urban female UR declined from 9.0% to 8.5%. Compared to April, 2025, overall female UR was higher by 0.4 percentage points. Urban female UR recorded its lowest level since April, 2025.
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for persons aged 15 years and above in urban areas remained unchanged at 46.8% in April 2026, the same level as recorded in March 2026. The overall WPR was estimated at 52.2% in April 2026, compared to 52.6% in March 2026 and 52.8% in April 2025. In rural areas, the WPR stood at 54.9% in April 2026, compared to 55.5% in March 2026 and 55.4% in April 2025. Urban WPR continued to exhibit stability in April 2026.
