Archive · 2 Sep 2026
West Bengal’s Youth Employability Crisis Threatens Its Demographic Advantage
West Bengal has many young people and many colleges.
But a large number of educated young people cannot find jobs.
Many others are not working, studying, or receiving training.
Reports also show that the state’s employability ranking has changed a lot over time.
It ranked second in 2019 but was outside the top 10 from 2023 to 2025.
Employers and young people have increasingly preferred other states for jobs.
This may reduce confidence in West Bengal’s colleges and job market.
The state’s share of young people is expected to shrink by 2036.
The article says Bengal needs to make higher education better at preparing students for available jobs.
Nearly 20.21% of West Bengal’s educated youth are unemployed, while 34.40% are not employed, studying, or training.
West Bengal has about 1,588 colleges but recorded a 24.6% higher-education enrolment ratio, below the national average of 30%.
The state ranked second in employability in 2019 but did not appear among the top 10 from 2023 through 2025.
West Bengal has not been among employers’ preferred hiring destinations since 2022 or among youths’ preferred work destinations since 2020.
The state’s youth share is projected to decline from 26.2% currently to 19.6% by 2036, creating pressure to improve job readiness.
- Who
- West Bengal’s youth, students, colleges, employers, and higher-education system are central to the analysis.
- What
- The article examines West Bengal’s weak and inconsistent youth employability performance and its consequences for higher education and employment.
- When
- The analysis cites data from 2014-2025, including the India Employment Report 2024 and AISHE 2023-24; the youth population projection extends to 2036.
- Where
- West Bengal, India.
- Why
- The article attributes the problem to insufficiently industry-ready talent, declining employer and student confidence, and a need to convert the state’s demographic advantage into economic strength.
- Educated youth unemployment
- 20.21% in West Bengal, according to the India Employment Report 2024.
- Youth not employed, educated, or trained
- 34.40% of the state’s youth are reported to be outside employment, education, or training.
- Colleges
- West Bengal has approximately 1,588 colleges, the tenth-highest total in India according to AISHE 2023-24.
- Youth population share
- About 6.9% of India’s youth population lives in West Bengal.
- Higher-education enrolment
- West Bengal’s gross enrolment ratio was 24.6%, compared with the national average of 30%.
- Employability ranking
- The state ranked second nationally in 2019 but did not appear in the top 10 in 2023, 2024, or 2025.
- Projected youth share
- West Bengal’s youth population share is projected to decline to 19.6% by 2036.