The ILO India Employment Report 2024 presents crucial insights into the state of youth unemployment in India. It highlights several alarming trends and challenges that the country faces regarding its young workforce.
One of the significant revelations from the report is the educational profile of unemployed youth. The share of young individuals with secondary or higher education among the unemployed has surged from 35.2% in 2000 to an alarming 65.7% in 2022. This indicates a growing mismatch between educational attainment and job availability.
According to the report, youth constitute nearly 83% of the total unemployed workforce in India. This statistic underscores a critical challenge in the country's employment landscape, emphasizing the need for targeted employment strategies.
The employment situation for youth showed signs of improvement from 2000 to 2019; however, the pandemic led to a significant decline in employment and underemployment levels. This setback highlights the vulnerability of young workers during economic disruptions.
The report outlines long-term trends in the Indian labour market, noting a deterioration in the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), Worker Population Ratio (WPR), and Unemployment Rate (UR) from 2000 to 2018. Although improvements were noted post-2019, these changes must be viewed with caution due to the ongoing economic slowdown.
Employment in India is characterized by insufficient growth in non-farm sectors to accommodate workers transitioning from agriculture. The report highlights a high degree of informal work and a rise in contractualization among regular workers, posing challenges to job security.
Significant skill gaps among the youth are alarming, with 75% unable to send emails with attachments, 60% lacking basic file management skills, and 90% unable to insert mathematical formulas into spreadsheets. These deficiencies indicate a pressing need for enhanced skill development programs.
The report also addresses the substantial gender gap in labour force participation and persistent social inequalities. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes continue to lag in accessing better job opportunities, despite various affirmative actions and targeted policies aimed at bridging these gaps.
Q1. What does the ILO report indicate about youth education levels?
Answer: The ILO report reveals that the share of unemployed youth with secondary or higher education has risen from 35.2% in 2000 to 65.7% in 2022, indicating a mismatch between education and job availability.
Q2. How has youth unemployment changed during the pandemic?
Answer: While youth employment improved from 2000 to 2019, the ILO report shows a significant decline during the pandemic, highlighting the vulnerability of young workers during economic crises.
Q3. What are the main issues in India's labour market according to the report?
Answer: The report highlights insufficient growth in non-farm sectors, high informal work rates, and an increase in contractualization, creating challenges for job security and stability.
Q4. What skill gaps are prevalent among Indian youth?
Answer: The report identifies major skill gaps, with 75% of youth unable to send emails with attachments and 90% unable to use basic spreadsheet functions, underscoring the need for enhanced training.
Q5. How does gender inequality manifest in the Indian labour market?
Answer: The report points out a significant gender gap in labour force participation and persistent social inequalities, with marginalized groups like Scheduled Castes and Tribes facing barriers to better job access.
Question 1: What percentage of unemployed youth in India had secondary or higher education in 2022?
A) 35.2%
B) 65.7%
C) 50%
D) 40%
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What proportion of India's unemployed workforce is constituted by youth?
A) 50%
B) 70%
C) 83%
D) 90%
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: Which sector's growth is insufficient to absorb workers from agriculture according to the report?
A) Construction
B) Non-farm sectors
C) Manufacturing
D) Service sectors
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What percentage of youth are unable to send emails with attachments?
A) 50%
B) 75%
C) 90%
D) 60%
Correct Answer: B
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