PERIODIC LABOUR FORCE SURVEY

TAG: GS-3: ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released its 7^th annual report for July 2023 to June 2024.

EXPLANATION:

What is the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

• It is a survey conducted by the NSO under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to measure the employment and unemployment situation in India.
• The NSO launched the PLFS in April 2017.

Key Highlight Employment and Unemployment Indicators

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) is defined as Percentage of persons in the labour force (i.e. working or seeking or available for work) in the population.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR): Percentage of employed persons in the population.
• Unemployment Rate (UR): Percentage of persons unemployed among the persons in the labour force.
• Activity Status – Determined on the basis of the activities pursued by the person during the specified reference period.
• Usual Activity Status: Activity Status of a person in the last 365 days which Includes both ps and ss.
  • Principal activity status: The activity status on which a person spent relatively long time (major time criterion) for 365 days preceding the date of survey, was considered the usual principal activity status of the person.
  • Subsidiary economic activity status (ss): Activity status in which a person in addition to his/her usual principal status, performs some economic activity for 30 days or more for the reference period of 365 days preceding the date of survey.
• Current Weekly Status (CWS): Activity status determined on the basis of a reference period of last 7 days preceding the date of survey.

Key Points for the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR):

Overall Increase in LFPR:

1. • Rural Areas: LFPR increased from 50.7% in 2017-18 to 63.7% in 2023-24.
   • Urban Areas: LFPR increased from 47.6% to 52.0% during the same period.

Gender-wise LFPR Trends:

1. • Male LFPR: Increased from 75.8% in 2017-18 to 78.8% in 2023-24.
   • Female LFPR: Notable increase from 23.3% to 41.7% during this time.

Rural vs Urban Comparison:

1. • Rural areas witnessed a larger jump in LFPR compared to urban areas, showcasing a substantial growth in workforce engagement in rural regions.

Female Participation:

• • A significant rise in female participation in the workforce (from 23.3% to 41.7%) highlights the growing inclusion of women in economic activities.

Objective of the Periodic Labour Force Survey:

• To estimate the key employment and unemployment indicators (viz. Worker Population Ratio, Labour Force Participation Rate, Unemployment Rate):
• Short-term urban focus: Estimate key employment and unemployment indicators for urban areas every three months using the Current Weekly Status (CWS).
• Annual rural and urban assessment: Estimate employment and unemployment indicators for both rural and urban areas annually, using both the Usual Status and CWS.

Government institute:

• Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana (PMRY)
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY)
• Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY)
• National Career Service (NCS)
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

Source:

https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/unemployment-rate-stagnant-reveals-government-survey/article68678636.ece