Year wise look at the unemployment rate showed that it was 6.1% in 2023-24, 4.4% in 2022-23, 5.2% in 2021-22, 5.9% in 2019-20 and 6.7% in 2019-20
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said that unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has declined from 6.7% in 2019-20 to 6.1% in 2023-24 and claimed that the government has initiated a slew of measures to tide over the problem, including creation of 9.58 lakh livelihood opportunities through various schemes.
Responding to a question by NC MLA Mubarak Gul, minister incharge Javed Ahmad Dar said, “Improvement is also reflected on the labour force participation rate (LFPR) and workers population ratio (WPR), which rose to 64.3% and 60.4%, respectively, in 2023-24.”
Dar informed the house that the unemployment rate did not increase drastically in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019. “The steady decline in the unemployment rate together with the increases in LFPR and WPR reflects the success of targeted policies and initiatives aimed at boosting the labour market to sustain economic growth, further reduce unemployment, and elevate the overall quality of life for J&K citizens,” Dar said.
However, year wise look at the unemployment rate showed that it was 6.1% in 2023-24, 4.4% in 2022-23, 5.2% in 2021-22, 5.9% in 2019-20 and 6.7% in 2019-20. Dar further said, “11,526 selections have been made by the J&K Public Service Commission and J&K Services Selection Board in the past two years — 4,836 (1,141 by JKPSC and 3,695 by JKSSB) in 2023, and 6,690 (1,034 by JKPSC and 56,756 by JKSSB) in 2024.
In the private sector, 45,688 unemployed youth were provided jobs in the industrial sector in 2022-23 (15,719) and 2023-24 (29,969), the minister informed the house.
In addition, 9.58 lakh self-employment opportunities were generated through schemes such as ‘Mumkin’, ‘Tejaswani’, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) in the last four years, the minister said, adding that 2,99,266 livelihood opportunities were created in 2021-22, 2,83,664 in 2022-23, 2,38,675 in 2023-24 and 1,36,165 in 2024-25 up to January this year.
Dar said the government has also taken major initiatives with a focus on youth development, entrepreneurship, and livelihood generation.
The government has initiated ‘Mission Yuva’ for self-employment and entrepreneurship to identify, support, and empower five lakh potential entrepreneurs through a structured and tech-enabled approach, the minister said.
In the last four years, 246 job fairs were organised by the government in which 4,893 placements were made by 2,760 companies, besides recommending 6,640 candidates for skill training. The government is also facilitating self-employment opportunities to job seekers through various line departments, the minister said, adding that it has started imparting skill development training across the Union Territory.
Year-Wise Unemployment Trends in J&K
Here’s a year-wise breakdown of the unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir:
- 2019-20: 6.7%
- 2020-21: 5.9%
- 2021-22: 5.2%
- 2022-23: 4.4%
- 2023-24: 6.1%
The data reveals fluctuations, including a notable improvement in 2022-23 when the rate was at its lowest, 4.4%. However, a slight increase occurred in 2023-24, bringing it to 6.1%.
Factors Influencing the Employment Scenario
The dip in the unemployment rate can be attributed to several factors:
- Government Employment Initiatives: Increased focus on job creation and skill development programs for the youth.
- Tourism Sector Growth: Boosted by improved infrastructure and promotion of tourism, creating job opportunities.
- Agriculture and Handicrafts Revival: Support for traditional industries and self-employment schemes.
- Private Sector Expansion: Efforts to attract investments and entrepreneurship in various sectors.
Challenges Ahead
While the decline in unemployment is promising, challenges remain:
- Youth Unemployment: A large portion of the unemployed demographic is educated youth, highlighting the need for high-skilled job opportunities.
- Seasonal and Informal Employment: Many jobs are concentrated in informal sectors, leading to job insecurity.
- Regional Disparities: Rural areas often have limited access to job opportunities compared to urban centers.
Path Forward
To continue this progress, policymakers and stakeholders need to focus on:
- Expanding Skill Development Programs: Equip youth with skills aligned with market demands.
- Encouraging Startups: Foster innovation and entrepreneurship to generate employment.
- Strengthening Traditional Sectors: Sustain growth in agriculture, handicrafts, and tourism.
- Bridging Regional Disparities: Develop infrastructure and create jobs in underdeveloped areas.
