Unemployment rate dips to 6.5% in Q3FY24: 21st Quarterly PLFS by NSSO

Current Context: The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released its 21st quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) bulletin for October-December 2023 (Q3FY24).

• According to it, India’s urban unemployment rate (UR) in Current Weekly Status (CWS) terms for persons aged 15 years and above declined to 6.5% during Q3FY24, which is the lowest level in over 4 years.
• It was 6.6% in Q2FY24, and 7.2% in Q3FY23.
• Here are some key figures representing persons of 15 years and above in urban areas in Q3FY24:
• UR in CWS among the male population declined to 5.8% (Q3FY24) as compared to 6.5% in Q3FY23.
• UR in CWS among females also saw a decline during Q3FY24 to 8.6% from 9.6% in Q3FY23.
• At all India level, Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in CWS increased to 49.9% (Q3FY24) from 48.2% in Q3FY23.
• For males, it was around 74.1% as compared to 73.3% in Q3FY23.
• For females, LFPR increased to 25% from 22.3% in Q3FY23.
• At all India level, Worker Population Ratio (WPR- in %) in CWS increased to 46.6% from 44.7% in Q3FY23.
• For males, it increased to 69.8% from 68.6% in Q3FY23. 
• For females, it increased to 22.9% from 20.2% in Q3FY23.

Question:

Q.1 What was the urban unemployment rate (UR) in Current Weekly Status (CWS) terms for persons aged 15 years and above during Q3FY24?
a. 7.2%
b. 6.6%
c. 6.5%
d. 5.8%