New Delhi — India’s overall Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) remained stable in January 2026, reflecting a steady employment trend, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
The data showed that workforce participation among people aged 15 years and above in urban areas remained largely unchanged compared to December 2025. Male participation stood at 70.5 per cent, while female participation was recorded at 23.0 per cent during January.
The unemployment rate among males aged 15 years and above remained stable in rural areas, with minor declines attributed to seasonal winter slowdown and reduced work opportunities following the harvest period.
Overall LFPR for individuals aged 15 years and above was recorded at 55.9 per cent in January. Rural LFPR stood at 58.7 per cent, while urban LFPR was slightly higher at 50.3 per cent compared to 50.2 per cent in December 2025.
Female workforce participation continued to show gradual improvement, with the LFPR among women reaching 35.1 per cent in January. Rural female LFPR was recorded at 39.7 per cent, while urban female LFPR rose to 25.5 per cent.
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for individuals aged 15 years and above also remained stable during the month. In urban areas, WPR was recorded at 70.5 per cent for males, 23.0 per cent for females, and 46.8 per cent at the overall population level.
According to the government, the slight decline in LFPR and WPR, along with a marginal rise in unemployment rate during January, was largely driven by rural factors. Seasonal slowdown in activities such as construction, agriculture, allied sectors, transport, and small trade during winter contributed to this trend, while urban employment conditions remained stable.
The statement also noted that the overall workforce pattern remained steady between April 2025 and January 2026. The employment data is compiled through the Periodic Labour Force Survey, which serves as the country’s primary source for monitoring employment, unemployment, and labour participation trends.
With inputs from IANS