About 1.4 crore people got employment across the country in the last two years. Employed people at the all-India level were about 47.29 crore as on January, this year, up from 45.90 crore as on January 2010, according to the latest National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).
Unemployment Rate (UR) was about two per cent in rural areas and about three per cent in urban. In the rural areas, UR for both men and women were nearly two per cent while in urban areas, UR for women was about five per cent as compared to three per cent for men.
The NSSO at the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the key indicators of Employment and Unemployment in India, from the data collected during the period July 2011-June 2012.
The indicators are based on the Central Sample of 1,01,724 households (59,700 in rural areas and 42,024 in urban areas) surveyed from all over India barring parts of Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar islands.
About 40 per cent of the population belonged to the labour force — 41 per cent in rural areas and 37 per cent in urban areas. Men accounted for about 56 per cent whereas 23 per cent were females.
Worker population Ratio (WPR) was about 39 per cent at the all-India level — where 40 per cent were in rural areas and 36 per cent in urban areas. While the menfolk accounted for 54 per cent, women were about 22 per cent.At the all-India level, the shares of self-employed was 52 per cent, salaried 18 per cent and casual labour 30 per cent.
At the all-India level, average wages received by regular wage/salaried employees was Rs 396 per day. This was Rs 299 in the rural areas and Rs 450 in the urban areas.
Daily wages received by casual labourers of rural areas engaged in public works other than MGNREGA public works was Rs 121. This was Rs 127 for males and Rs 111 for females. Daily wages received by casual labours of rural areas engaged in MGNREGA public works was Rs 107. This was Rs 112 for males and Rs 102 for females.