NEW DELHI: The overall unemployment rate for those in the 15 years and above age group held steady at 5.2% in Oct, but urban joblessness rate climbed to a three-month high of 7% during the month, the monthly periodic labour force survey (PLFS) showed on Monday. The survey also showed that there was a marginal decline in the rural unemployment rate from 4.6% in Sept to 4.4% in Oct.The joblessness rate among females in the 15 years and above age group dipped marginally to 5.4% in Oct from 5.5% in Sept. The drop in unemployment rate among rural females, from 4.3% in Sept to 4% in Oct, led to the dip in female unemployment rate. Male joblessness has remained stable at 5.1% in Oct compared to the previous month. A marginal dip in the rural unemployment rate among males, from 4.7% in Sept to 4.6% in Oct, was offset by a slight rise in urban male unemployment from 6% to 6.1% during the same period.The data showed the overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) reached a 6-month high of 55.4% in Oct. The LFPR has risen for four months in a row to 55.4% in Oct from 54.2% in June. The LFPR in rural areas has also increased from 56.1% in June to 57.8% in Oct, the monthly data showed. LFPR among females aged 15 years and above reached 34.2% in Oct marking the highest since May, led by an increase in LFPR among females in rural areas, according to the data. The data showed female worker growth drove the increase in overall workforce.The overall worker population ratio (WPR) in Oct was 52.5%, and has been on a rising trend since June. The rise in the female workforce in rural areas led to the increase.
