MoSPI Labour Statistics: Rising Rural Female Participation Drives National Labour Force Growth
SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Institutions: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin for September 2025 shows a continuation of the positive trend in India’s labour market, primarily driven by women’s participation. The overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), measured using the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach, reached a 5-month high of 55.3% in September 2025.
Female Labour Force: The overall LFPR for females (age 15+) reached 34.1%—the highest level since May 2025—and has increased for the third consecutive month. This growth was mainly contributed by the rise in female LFPR in rural areas, which increased from 35.2% in June 2025 to 37.9% in September 2025.
Worker Population Ratio (WPR): The overall WPR also hit a 5-month high of 52.4% in September 2025, reflecting the growth in the female workforce, particularly in rural areas.
Unemployment Rate (UR): The overall Unemployment Rate (UR) saw a marginal increase to 5.2% in September 2025 (from 5.1% in August 2025). This was contributed by an increase in UR in both rural (4.6%) and urban areas (6.8%). The UR among urban females specifically rose to 9.3% in September 2025.
The sustained growth in female labour force and worker population ratios, particularly in rural areas, signals strengthening economic inclusion and empowerment. However, the concurrent marginal rise in the Unemployment Rate, especially among urban women, indicates a need for targeted skilling and job creation policies to absorb the growing number of women entering the job market.
What is the Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach? → The Current Weekly Status (CWS) approach is the specific methodology used by the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) to measure employment and unemployment, especially for its monthly and quarterly estimates. Under CWS, a person is considered employed if they have worked for at least one hour on any day during the seven days preceding the date of survey. This methodology helps capture fluctuating or temporary employment and labour activity accurately.
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Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Monthly Bulletin