Published Paper Details:

This research paper explores the disparities between rural and urban unemployment, analysing the root causes, patterns, and socioeconomic impacts in each setting. The paper also examines the effectiveness of government policies aimed at reducing unemployment and proposes context-specific strategies to create sustainable employment opportunities. It focuses on a comprehensive comparative analysis of unemployment dynamics in rural and urban India, examining the distinct causes, prevalent trends, and the efficiency of current policy interventions in each context. Recognizing the significant heterogeneity in socio-economic structures and labour market characteristics between rural and urban landscapes, this study posits that a nuanced understanding of these differences is crucial for formulating targeted and effective employment generation strategies. To provide an empirical foundation, the research analyses recent trends in unemployment, drawing primarily on data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). While acknowledging the latest available data for urban India (October-December 2024), the study aims to contextualize these findings within broader historical trends and, where possible, compare them with corresponding rural unemployment data. Key indicators such as unemployment rates, labour force participation rates, and worker population ratios are examined, with a particular focus on gender disparities and regional variations within both rural and urban areas. The analysis seeks to identify emerging patterns and shifts in unemployment dynamics over time.