- J&K’s unemployment rate declines to 6.1%, Govt highlights job generation initiatives
Jammu, Mar 16 (KINS): The unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has declined from 6.7% in 2019-20 to 6.1% in 2023-24, the J&K government said on Saturday.
The administration credited this improvement to various employment-generation schemes, which have facilitated 9.58 lakh livelihood opportunities.
J&K Minister Javed Ahmad Dar, speaking in the Assembly, highlighted the positive trends in employment, noting that the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and Worker Population Ratio (WPR) increased to 64.3% and 60.4%, respectively, in 2023-24. These figures indicate expanding economic activities and enhanced job opportunities in the Union Territory.
In response to a query by National Conference MLA Mubarak Gul, Dar, on behalf of Employment Minister Surinder Choudhary, cited the 2025 Economic Survey Report, which recorded a steady decline in unemployment: 2019-20: 6.7%, 2020-21: 5.9%, 2021-22: 5.2%, 2022-23: 4.4%, 2023-24: 6.1%.
Dar attributed this progress to targeted policies and initiatives designed to strengthen the labor market, sustain economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life in J&K.
Employment & Entrepreneurship Initiatives
1.Government Recruitment: 2023: 4,836 selections (1,141 by JKPSC, 3,695 by JKSSB), 2024: 6,690 selections (1,034 by JKPSC, 5,656 by JKSSB), Private Sector Employment:, 2022-23: 15,719 youth placed in industrial sector jobs, 2023-24: 29,969 youth employed
Self-Employment Schemes:
9.58 lakh self-employment opportunities generated through schemes like Mumkin, Tejaswini, PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP).
Breakdown: 2021-22: 2,99,266 opportunities, 2022-23: 2,83,664 opportunities, 2023-24: 2,38,675 opportunities, 2024-25 (till January): 1,36,165 opportunities
MGNREGA Implementation:, 3.01 crore person-days generated up to January 2025, 8.07 lakh households benefited, ‘Mission Yuva’ Initiative:
Aims to empower 5 lakh entrepreneurs through structured support
1,37,000 new enterprises to be created, 4.25 lakh employment opportunities targeted over five years, Skill Development & Job Fairs:, 246 job fairs held in the last four years, 4,893 placements facilitated by 2,760 companies, 6,640 candidates recommended for skill training
The government reiterated its commitment to promoting self-employment, entrepreneurship, and skill development to further reduce unemployment and create sustainable livelihoods across Jammu and Kashmir.(KINS)
