India’s employment metrics continue to improve, but more people still rely on agriculture for jobs than the pre-pandemic levels.
The share of those employed in the agriculture sector rose to 5.7% during April-June 2022 from 4.9% in April-June 2019, according to the periodic labour force survey.
While self employment saw a modest decline over the year earlier, it also remained higher than the pre-Covid level. Self employed made up 39.2% of those employed in urban areas between April and June 2022 compared to 37.7% between April and June 2019.
Within the share of self-employed, the share of own account workers and helpers, both rose. While the share of own account workers rose to 32.9% in April-June 2022 quarter, compared to 32% pre-pandemic; helpers in household enterprises rose to 5.7% from 4.9% during the period.
The share of salaried employees saw a drop at 48.6% during April-June 2022 compared to 50% in the corresponding period in 2019. The share of casual labour remained close to its pre-pandemic levels.
Employment by the secondary sector, too, saw a modest pickup, while the share of the tertiary sector fell.
Unemployment rate declined to 7.6% in the April-June 2022 quarter from 12.6% a year ago. Pre-pandemic unemployment rate was at 8.9%.