India Adds 17 Crore Jobs in Six Years, Unemployment Falls to 3.2%
New Delhi, 4 Oct 2025 – As per the Ministry of Labour & Employment, India has added 16.83 crore jobs between 2017–18 and 2023–24, as total employment rose to 64.33 crore, marking one of the strongest employment expansions in recent years. The unemployment rate has declined to 3.2%, underscoring India’s growing economic resilience and job creation momentum.
Key Highlights
- Employment in India grew from 47.5 crore (2017–18) to 64.33 crore (2023–24) – a net gain of 16.83 crore jobs.
- Unemployment rate fell sharply from 6.0% to 3.2% in the same period.
- Women’s labour participation almost doubled – female LFPR up from 23.3% to 41.7%, with 1.56 crore women joining the formal workforce.
- Formal employment strengthened – 7.73 crore net EPFO subscribers added since 2017, with 60% aged 18–25, reflecting youth-led job growth.
- Wages rising steadily: Average casual labour wage increased from ₹294 (2017) to ₹433 (2024); salaried earnings rose from ₹16,538 to ₹21,103.
- Gig economy & startups booming: India’s gig workforce to reach 2.35 crore by 2030, while 1.9 lakh startups created 17 lakh jobs.
- Women-led initiatives like Lakhpati Didi, Mission Shakti, and Drone Didi are reshaping India’s inclusive employment landscape.
India’s Employment Growth Snapshot (2017–18 to 2023–24)
| Indicator | 2017–18 | 2023–24 / Latest | Change / Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employment | 47.5 crore | 64.33 crore | +16.83 crore jobs added in six years |
| Unemployment Rate (UR) | 6.0% | 3.2% | ↓ 2.8 percentage points — lowest in 6 years |
| Female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) | 23.3% | 41.7% | Doubled — Women’s participation up 18.4 pp |
| Worker Population Ratio (WPR) | 46.8% | 58.2% | ↑ 11.4 percentage points |
| Average Daily Wage (Casual Labour) | ₹294 | ₹433 | ↑ 47% — Improved income & job quality |
| Formal Employment (EPFO Net Additions) | — | 7.73 crore since 2017 | Stronger formalisation & social security |
| Youth Share in New EPFO Joinees | — | 60% (aged 18–25 yrs) | Reflects youth-driven job expansion |
| Gig Workforce | 1.0 crore (2024–25) | 2.35 crore (by 2029–30) | Fastest-growing new-age employment segment |
India’s expanding workforce, rising formalisation, and growing women’s participation reflect a transforming, inclusive, and future-ready economy — powering the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 through jobs, skills, and empowerment.
Source : PIB Headquarters , PIB
