Unemployment rate steady at 5.0 per cent, says PLFS monthly bulletin

National Report Economy & Banking Reports & Indices

Unemployment rate steady at 5.0 per cent, says PLFS monthly bulletin

15 October 2026

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Periodic Labour Force Survey monthly bulletin for September 2026 on 15 October 2026.
The unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above remained steady at 5.0 per cent, down 0.2 percentage points from September 2025.
The Labour Force Participation Rate was 55.5 per cent, against 55.6 per cent in August 2026.
Urban female labour force participation rose from 25.4 per cent to 25.9 per cent, its highest level since October 2025.
The Worker Population Ratio stood at 52.7 per cent, with urban WPR at 47.2 per cent.
The estimates are based on information collected from 3,70,513 persons.

Unemployment rate (15+): 5.0 per cent Labour Force Participation Rate: 55.5 per cent Worker Population Ratio: 52.7 per cent Persons surveyed: 3,70,513

Why it matters for exams: PLFS indicators such as LFPR, WPR and the unemployment rate are directly asked in economy and statistics sections.

Kerala PSCUPSCSSC

15 October 2026 Source: Press Information Bureau

In plain words

LFPR Labour Force Participation Rate — The share of the population that is either working or seeking work.

CWS Current Weekly Status — A reference period of the seven days preceding the survey date.