India Employment Report 2023: Jobs, Education, and Skills for the Youth

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to analyze the trends and patterns of the Indian labor market over the last two decades, with a specific focus on the emerging youth employment challenge, the linkages between education, skills, and youth employment, and the impact of growth on employment. The report also seeks to provide policies and strategies to address these challenges, particularly in the context of the post-pandemic period.

Methodology: The report examines developments in the Indian labor market from 1999-2000 to 2018-19, using data from the quinquennial rounds of the NSSO’s Employment-Unemployment Survey (EUS) up to 2011-12, and the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) from 2017-18 to 2021-22. The analysis is divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on overall labor market trends and the second part addressing youth employment, education, and skills. The study uses unit-level data to develop conceptual tools and statistical indicators for a comprehensive analysis.

Findings:

• Significant changes and continuities in the overall labor market and employment scenario in India.
• Detailed analysis of youth labor market challenges, including the linkages between education, skills, and employment.
• Examination of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market.

Recommendations:

• Policies and strategies to address the emerging employment challenges, particularly for youth employment.
• Implementation of active labor market policies to support youth employment.
• Strategies to improve the linkages between education, skills, and employment in response to changing labor market structures.