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India · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

73rd of 185 · 4th in South Asia
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UnemploymentIndia's unemployment fell from 7.5 % in 1996 to 4.2 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020254%6%8%4.2 %

India's unemployment fell from 7.5 % in 1996 to 4.2 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

116th of 183 · 3rd in South Asia
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Youth unemploymentIndia's youth unemployment fell from 20.1 % in 1996 to 16.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202515%20%25%16.0 %

India's youth unemployment fell from 20.1 % in 1996 to 16.0 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

135th of 182 · 4th in South Asia
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ParticipationIndia's participation fell from 58.7 % in 1996 to 55.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202550%52%54%56%58%60%62%55.7 %

India's participation fell from 58.7 % in 1996 to 55.7 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

162nd of 182 · 4th in South Asia
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)India's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 31.9 % in 1996 to 32.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202524%26%28%30%32%34%36%32.4 %

India's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 31.9 % in 1996 to 32.4 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

127th of 182 · 4th in South Asia
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)India's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 54.3 % in 1996 to 53.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202546%48%50%52%54%56%58%53.3 %

India's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 54.3 % in 1996 to 53.3 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

2nd of 182 · 1st in South Asia
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Labour force, totalIndia's labour force, total rose from 362M in 1996 to 618M in 2025.200020052010201520202025300M400M500M600M618M

India's labour force, total rose from 362M in 1996 to 618M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

27th of 182 · 2nd in South Asia
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Self-employed (% of total employment)India's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 85.7 % in 1996 to 74.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202575%80%85%74.9 %

India's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 85.7 % in 1996 to 74.9 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

159th of 182 · 5th in South Asia
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)India's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 84.7 % in 1996 to 71.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202570%75%80%85%90%71.6 %

India's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 84.7 % in 1996 to 71.6 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

37th of 182 · 3rd in South Asia
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)India's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 61.5 % in 1996 to 41.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202540%50%60%41.6 %

India's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 61.5 % in 1996 to 41.6 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

40th of 182 · 3rd in South Asia
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)India's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 15.3 % in 1996 to 25.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202515%20%25%25.8 %

India's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 15.3 % in 1996 to 25.8 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

166th of 182 · 6th in South Asia
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Employment in services (% of total employment)India's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 23.2 % in 1996 to 32.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202525%30%35%32.6 %

India's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 23.2 % in 1996 to 32.6 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

115th of 168 · 4th in South Asia
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)India's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $7,613 in 1996 to intl $24.8k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $5kintl $10kintl $15kintl $20kintl $25kintl $30kintl $24.8k

India's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $7,613 in 1996 to intl $24.8k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for India.

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