(a) whether unemployment is higher in rural areas in comparison to
the urban areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years, State-wise
and year-wise along with the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to bridge the gap of unemployment
in the rural and urban areas?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH)
(a) Reliable estimates of employment and unemployment are obtained through
quinquennial labour force surveys on employment and unemployment conducted
by National Sample Survey Office (NSS), Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation. Last such survey has been conducted during 2011-12. As per
the results of latest survey, unemployment rates in rural and urban areas
of the country during 2011-12 on different approaches are given below:
Unemployment rate % as of labour force during 2011-12 Approaches Rural Urban Usual Principal Status 2.3 3.8 Usual Status 1.7 3.4 Current Weekly Status 3.4 4.4 Current Daily Status 5.7 5.5(b) State-wise unemployment rates on current daily status basis during 2009-10 and 2011-12 is at Annex.