PLFS Report: 25% Of Youth Neither Working Nor Studying In Around 250 Districts

At least 25 per cent of young people aged 15 to 29 are neither employed, studying nor undergoing skill training in around 250 districts across India, according to district-level findings from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Friday.

The findings have drawn attention to the number of young people outside employment, education and formal skill development, particularly across several districts in northern and eastern India.

What Is The NEET Category?

The report uses the term NEET — Not in Employment, Education, or Training — for young people who are not working, pursuing education or undergoing vocational or skill training.

The category is distinct from unemployment alone. A young person who is unemployed but studying or receiving training would not fall into the NEET category.

According to the district-level findings, around 250 of approximately 600 districts covered by the survey recorded a NEET proportion of at least 25 per cent among people aged 15 to 29.

North And East India Show Higher NEET Levels

The report indicates that the situation is particularly pronounced across several states in northern and eastern India.

In around two-thirds of the districts in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal, more than 25 per cent of youth fall into the NEET category.

The findings indicate that at least one in four young people in these districts are outside employment, education and training.

Situation Across Southern And Northeastern States

In Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Assam and Telangana, nearly half of the districts recorded NEET levels of 25 per cent or more among youth.

The findings cover around 600 districts across major states and Union Territories, providing a district-level picture of youth participation in employment, education and skill development.

Unpaid Domestic Work Affects Young Women

One of the factors highlighted in the report is the burden of unpaid domestic work on young women.

In around 75 per cent of the surveyed districts, more than 25 per cent of young women fall into the NEET category.

The findings indicate that many young women are engaged in household responsibilities. Since unpaid domestic work is not counted as employment in the relevant labour-force measures, these women can fall within the NEET category despite spending time on domestic responsibilities.

Lack Of Suitable Jobs Also A Factor

The report also points to young people who have stopped actively looking for employment because they cannot find jobs matching their qualifications, skills or preferred fields.

This can leave them outside both employment and formal education or training.

Government Job Preparation Keeps Some Youth Outside Formal Training

Another factor highlighted is prolonged preparation for competitive government examinations.

Some young people spend several years preparing exclusively for government recruitment examinations, leaving them outside formal education, employment and vocational training during that period.

25 Districts Record NEET Rates Below 10%

Amid the broader concerns, the report also identifies 25 districts where less than 10 per cent of youth fall into the NEET category.

These include Kabirdham, Rajnandgaon and Uttar Bastar Kanker in Chhattisgarh; Chamba in Himachal Pradesh; Ernakulam in Kerala; Mandla in Madhya Pradesh; and Nabarangpur in Odisha.

Nabarangpur Records Lowest Share

Nabarangpur in Odisha recorded a NEET proportion of just 4.1 per cent among youth, the lowest share reported among the districts highlighted in the findings.

The district-level data offers a closer look at differences in youth participation across the country, showing significant variation in the proportion of young people engaged in employment, education or training.