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Unemployment rate in India holds steady at 5% in September
Oct-16-2026

The National Statistics Office's (NSO) Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data showed that the overall unemployment rate (UR) among persons aged 15 years and above remained stable at 5 per cent in September 2026 as compared with August 2026. The UR was 5.2 per cent in September 2025. During September 2026, rural UR remained broadly stable at 4.2 per cent, up from 4.1 per cent the previous month, while urban UR edged up marginally from 6.8 per cent to 6.9 per cent. In September 2025, rural UR was 4.6 per cent and urban UR at 6.8 per cent.  

It further said overall male UR among persons aged 15 years and above remained stable at 4.9 per cent in September 2026, compared with the previous month, continuing the downward or stable trend observed since June 2026. Among females, the overall UR remained broadly stable at 5.2 per cent, up from 5.1 per cent the previous month. Rural female UR stood at 3.9 per cent, its lowest level in 2026, while urban female UR rose marginally from 8.9 per cent to 9.2 per cent. Unemployment rates declined year-on-year for both genders, with rural female UR reaching its lowest level during 2026.

According to the survey, the overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above remained broadly stable at 55.5% in September, 2026, compared to 55.6% in August, 2026. In rural areas, LFPR was recorded at 58.0% against 58.2% in August, 2026, while the urban LFPR registered a moderate increase of 0.3 percentage points, rising from 50.4% in August, 2026 to 50.7% in September, 2026. Overall Female LFPR (15+ years) stood at 34.6% in September, 2026, compared with 34.8% in August, 2026. Urban female LFPR recorded a notable month-on-month increase of 0.5 percentage points, rising from 25.4% to 25.9% and reaching its highest level since October, 2025. Rural female LFPR estimated at 38.9% in September, 2026 against 39.4% in the previous month. The overall Worker Population Ratio (WPR) remained broadly stable at 52.7% in September, 2026, compared with 52.8% in August 2026. 


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