The data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation showed that the overall unemployment rate was little changed from 5.1% in March 2026 and April 2025, indicating broad stability in labour market conditions.
Also Read: India’s urban unemployment rate eases to 6.6% in Jan-March quarter, rural joblessness rises to 4.3%
At the segment level, rural unemployment rose to 4.6% in April from 4.3% in the previous month, while urban unemployment eased marginally to 6.6% from 6.8% over the same period.
The labour force participation rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above declined to 55.0% in April from 55.4% in March, reflecting a mild softening in workforce participation. Female LFPR also fell to 33.9% from 34.4% during the same period.
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) similarly moderated to 52.2% in April from 52.6% in March, even as urban WPR remained unchanged at 46.8%, suggesting stability in urban employment conditions.
Overall, the PLFS bulletin indicated that India’s labour market continued to show broad stability, with only marginal month-on-month movements across key indicators of employment, participation and unemployment.Also Read: Substantial regional disparities in labour market conditions across India: SBI Research Report
Urban female unemployment eased to 8.5% in April — its lowest level since April 2025 — while rural indicators showed mixed trends amid a slight uptick in joblessness and lower participation levels.