The India Employment Report 2024 – Youth education, employment and skills published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD), is the latest publication on the employment situation in India with a focus on youths and women. According to the report, there is an increase in the employment rate, but the prospects for well-educated young individuals remain bleak.
Unemployment among youths with secondary education or higher thus shows a persistent upward trend. According to the report, the share of unemployed youths in the total unemployed population is just over 80%.
According to the report, the proportion of better-educated youths among all unemployed individuals has increased from 54.2% in 2000 to 65.7%. The unemployment rate among youths with secondary education or higher was 18.4% in 2022 and for graduates, it was 29.1%. The unemployment rate among educated young women is comparatively higher, standing at 21.4% for secondary education or higher and 34.5% for graduates compared to 17.5% and 26.4% for men, respectively.
India’s so-called demographic dividend is the 7-8 million youths who could enter the labor market annually. However, despite improvements in educational attainment, access to high-quality formal employment remains a challenge for many youths. It is becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile growing aspirations with available employment opportunities.
India’s youth account for almost 83% of the unemployed workforce and the share of youngsters with secondary or higher education in the total unemployed youth has almost doubled from 35.2% in 2000 to 65.7% in 2022, as per the India Employment Report 2024 released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD) here on Tuesday.
Employment scenario in India grim, says ILO report – The Hindu March 26, 2024
India remains poised to take advantage of its demographic dividend with strong improvements in education levels, which are a key determinant of accessing better quality jobs. At the same time, youth’s aspirations are evolving, which needs to be matched with the type of employment available in the labour market.
Executive Summary: India Employment Report 2024
India has the world’s largest youth population and stands to benefit from its demographic dividend for at least another decade. This translates into 7-8 million youth entering the labour market annually. In the last two decades, youth have also attained higher levels of education compared to their predecessors. Yet youth face challenges in accessing better quality formal jobs. The skills landscape in India has also undergone a transformation, with the impetus of filling the supply–demand gaps and skill mismatches.
India Employment Report 2024: Youth education, employment and skills
