Recent official statistics have painted a concerning picture of the job market for young people in Jammu and Kashmir. The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data indicates that the union territory is grappling with an urban youth unemployment crisis significantly more severe than the national average.
A Stark Disparity in Youth Joblessness
The figures for the July to September quarter of 2024 are particularly alarming. 32 per cent of urban youth in Jammu and Kashmir, aged between 15 and 29 years, were unemployed. This rate is nearly double the corresponding all-India average for urban youth in the same age bracket during that period. The data underscores a persistent and deep-rooted challenge in providing gainful employment to the educated younger generation in the region's towns and cities.
Digging Deeper into the Labour Force Data
The report, which was made public on 25 December 2025, highlights a critical economic and social issue. While the national figures show a trend of improvement in employment rates over recent years, Jammu and Kashmir appears to be an outlier. The high percentage suggests that despite educational qualifications, a substantial portion of the youth is unable to find work. Analysts point to a combination of factors including a mismatch between skills and market demands, slower private sector growth compared to other regions, and the unique socio-economic landscape of the area.
The situation calls for a focused examination of job creation policies and skill development initiatives tailored for the region. The prolonged high unemployment among the youth is not just an economic indicator but also a social concern, with potential implications for stability and growth.
Implications and the Path Forward
This data, reported by Zulfikar Majid, serves as a crucial wake-up call for policymakers. The near-double gap compared to the national average indicates that generic national schemes may not be sufficient. There is a pressing need for:
- Targeted industrial and investment policies to boost job creation in J&K's urban centers.
- Enhanced vocational and technical training programs aligned with emerging sectors like tourism, IT, and renewable energy.
- Support for entrepreneurship and startups to encourage the youth to become job creators.
Addressing this unemployment surge is vital for harnessing the demographic dividend in Jammu and Kashmir. Without urgent and effective intervention, the risk of talent migration and social discontent could rise, further complicating the region's development trajectory. The Q3 2024 data point is a clear metric that demands a strategic and localized response.
