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The quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data released by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) has indicated that the unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above in urban areas dipped to 6.4 per cent in the July-September quarter (Q2FY25). Joblessness, or unemployment rate, is defined as the percentage of unemployed people in the labour force. The unemployment rate in the September quarter of FY24 was 6.6 per cent. The unemployment rate for people aged 15 years and above in the previous April-June quarter of FY25 was 6.6 per cent in urban areas. 

The 24th Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) showed the unemployment rate among females (aged 15 years and above) in urban areas declined to 8.4 per cent in July-September 2024 from 8.6 per cent in the same quarter a year ago. The rate was 9 per cent in April-June, 2024. Among males, the unemployment rate in urban areas declined to 5.7 per cent in July-September 2024 from 6 per cent in the same quarter a year ago. The rate was 5.8 per cent in April-June 2024.

Labour force participation rate in Current Weekly Status (CWS) in urban areas for people aged 15 years and above increased to 50.4 per cent in July-September from 49.3 per cent in the same quarter a year ago. The rate was 50.1 per cent in the April-June 2024. Labour force refers to the part of the population, which supplies or offers to supply labour for pursuing economic activities for the production of goods and services and, therefore, includes both employed and unemployed persons.