Chandigarh: The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey 2025 (PLFS) has revealed worrying unemployment trends in Punjab and Haryana, highlighting growing pressure on the labour market, especially among educated youth.
According to the report, while India’s overall unemployment rate stands at 5.3%, Punjab has recorded a higher rate of 6.7%, followed by Haryana at 6.2%. The situation is particularly concerning in rural Punjab, where unemployment has reached 7.4%.
The most alarming aspect is joblessness among graduates. In Punjab, the unemployment rate among degree holders has surged to 20.6%, meaning nearly one in five educated युवाओं is without a job. Haryana also reflects a similar trend, with 14.1% unemployment among graduates.
The data challenges the long-held belief that higher education guarantees employment. Even postgraduates are struggling to find suitable jobs, raising serious concerns about the quality and relevance of education.
Experts attribute the crisis to a widening gap between academic learning and industry requirements. While many युवाओं hold degrees, they lack practical and technical skills demanded by modern industries.
Additionally, slow industrial growth in Punjab and increasing competition in Haryana have forced many youths into informal sectors like agriculture or low-paying jobs.
The report calls for urgent policy reforms, stressing the need to promote skill-based education over traditional academic pathways. It also underlines the importance of boosting private sector investment and diversifying industries to create sustainable employment opportunities.
Without timely intervention, the growing pool of educated unemployed youth could pose a major economic and social challenge for both states.
