India's September unemployment rate rises to 5%
by@Reuters
Summary
In September 2026, India reported an unemployment rate of 5.0% for individuals aged 15 and above, which remained stable from August and showed a decrease from 5.2% in September of the previous year. The National Statistics Office, through its Periodic Labour Force Survey, noted regional disparities, with rural unemployment at 4.2% compared to a higher urban rate of 6.9%.
Analysis
Employment: India's unemployment rate for people aged 15 and above held at 5.0% in September 2026, unchanged from August and down from 5.2% a year earlier. Data_source: The figures come from the National Statistics Office's Periodic Labour Force Survey, released by India's Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Regional_difference: Rural unemployment was 4.2%, while urban unemployment was higher at 6.9% in September.
Categories
macro
Related sources
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/indias-unemployment-rate-stays-steady-at-5-in-september/printarticle/134966168.cms
- https://www.fortuneindia.com/economy/india-unemployment-rate-stays-at-5-in-sept-2026-urban-labour-participation-improves/165038
- https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/india-s-unemployment-rate-holds-at-5-in-september-urban-women-s-workforce-participation-improves-14053099.html
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/indias-unemployment-rate-stays-steady-at-5-in-september/articleshow/134966168.cms?from=mdr
- http://rmb.reuters.com/rmd/rss/item/tag:reuters.com,2026:newsml_KBN3VV1H1?channel=FBi345
- https://www.business-standard.com/economy/news/india-s-unemployment-rate-remains-stable-at-5-in-september-nso-data-126101501010_1.html
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2323828®=3&lang=1
- https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2026-10-15/indias-september-unemployment-rate-at-5
- https://wtaq.com/2026/10/15/indias-september-unemployment-rate-at-5/
- https://www.business-standard.com/topic/unemployment