Jobless rate inched up to 5.2% in Sep, rural saw sharp rise: PLFS

Labour markets lost momentum in September as the unemployment rate rose marginally to 5.2 per cent from 5.1 percent in August as the rural areas show a sharper rise in joblessness on account of the sowing season getting over.

- SHIVA RAJORA

The headline unemployment rate for people of age 15 years and above in the current weekly status (CWS) terms for rural areas rose to 4.6 per cent in September from 4.3 per cent in August — the highest since June. For urban areas, it went marginally up to 6.8 per cent during the month from 6.7 per cent in August, according to the monthly periodic labour force survey (PLFS) data, released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on Wednesday.