According to the ILO research, the percentage of young people who have completed at least secondary education but are unemployed has increased from 35.2% in 2000 to 65.7% in 2022.
According to the ‘India Employment Report 2024: Youth Education, employment and Skills’ jointly
published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD),
India’s youth account for almost 83% of the unemployed workforce.
India's Chief Economic Advisor (CEA), V. Anantha Nageswaran, published the report.
Main points of Report:
1. The report states that the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR) steadily fell between 2000 and 2018.
However, after 2019, these metrics showed improvement. The recovery occurs amid a difficult economic time before and after COVID-19.
2. The report mentioned that India’s job story over the last
20 years witnessed some paradoxical improvements in
labor market indicators.
The report noted that after 2019, there was an
increase in agricultural employment and a decrease in non-farm employment particularly
in the manufacturing sector.
The construction and services sectors absorbed
the increase in non-farm employment.
Challenge of Youth Employment in India:
India has the opportunity to take advantage of its demographic advantage, which puts it at a pivotal point in youth employment. With a large proportion of its people in the working age group, India is expected to experience a "demographic dividend."
This benefit, however, is threatened by the fact that the youth population, which made up 27% of the overall population in 2021, is expected to drop to 23% by 2036.
The COVID-19 epidemic made issues in the adolescent labor market worse, which temporarily made indications worse during peak times. After lockdowns, there was a slight rebound, but it was accompanied by a rise in low-quality work, especially in unpaid family work and self-employment.
This benefit, however, is threatened by the fact that the youth population, which made up 27% of the overall population in 2021, is expected to drop to 23% by 2036.
The COVID-19 epidemic made issues in the adolescent labor market worse, which temporarily made indications worse during peak times. After lockdowns, there was a slight rebound, but it was accompanied by a rise in low-quality work, especially in unpaid family work and self-employment.
Youth Employment Is Hampered by Gender Disparities and Skill Deficit
The report also discusses the low rates of female labour force participation in the labor market and the growing gender gap in it. Finding work is difficult for young women, especially those with higher education.
Affirmative action and targeted programs do not eliminate social inequality; Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes still face obstacles in their pursuit of greater employment prospects. Although all groups' educational attainment has increased, social hierarchies still exist, exacerbated by the gap in employment.
Affirmative action and targeted programs do not eliminate social inequality; Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes still face obstacles in their pursuit of greater employment prospects. Although all groups' educational attainment has increased, social hierarchies still exist, exacerbated by the gap in employment.
About International Labour Organisation(ILO):
Director-General -Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
Established – 1919
Member States – 187 Member States
