The India Employment Report 2024 has brought to the forefront the ongoing challenge of high unemployment among the country’s educated youth, with an alarming 82.9% of the total unemployed population comprising young individuals in 2022.
The report, prepared jointly by the Institute for Human Development and the International Labour Organization, underscores the persistent issue of youth unemployment, particularly among those with secondary education or higher. It highlights the intensification of this problem over time, signalling a pressing need for practical solutions.
Despite these challenges, the report emphasises India’s potential to leverage its demographic dividend through significant improvements in education levels. Access to better quality jobs is a critical determinant, underscoring the importance of enhancing educational opportunities for youth.
A notable finding from the report is the increased proportion of educated youth among the unemployed, with women representing a significant share. This trend highlights the concentration of unemployment among educated youth, particularly in urban areas.
Drawing on data from the National Sample Survey Office’s Periodic Labour Force Survey, the report reveals a correlation between education level and youth unemployment rates, with graduates experiencing higher rates than those with lower educational attainment. However, there was a notable decline in the unemployment rate among educated youth between 2019 and 2022.
Despite this decline, the report underscores the stark disparity in unemployment rates between educated and illiterate individuals, with rates among the former being significantly higher. In 2022, the unemployment rate among graduates was nine times greater than those who couldn’t read or write.
