Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Economist Criticizes India's Unemployment Data, Citing Concerns
An economist named Amit Mitra says the Indian government's numbers about how many people don't have jobs are wrong.
He believes the government's data hides the real problem.
A survey of economists shows that many experts don't trust the official numbers.
The government says the unemployment rate is low, but others say it's much higher.
The way the government counts who is employed might be why the numbers are off.
A large percentage of unemployed people are young, which is a big concern.
Economist Amit Mitra criticized the Indian government's unemployment data, calling it misleading.
Mitra cited a Reuters survey showing 70% of global economists question the data's credibility.
The government's Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) reported unemployment as 4.9% in 2023-24.
Mitra noted CMIE estimates unemployment at 8.05%, significantly higher than the government's figures.
He highlighted that 83% of unemployed Indians are youth, according to the ILO.
- Who
- Economist Amit Mitra, and the Indian government
- What
- Economist Amit Mitra criticized the Indian government's unemployment data, alleging it misleads the public.
- When
- The criticism was made on Wednesday, July 23.
- Where
- India
- Why
- Mitra believes the government's data underestimates the severity of unemployment in India.
Economist's View
Government's View (Implied)
Accuracy of Unemployment Data
Economist's View
Official data underestimates the severity of unemployment.
Government's View (Implied)
The article doesn't provide the government's defense of its figures.
- Economist
- Amit Mitra
- Government Data
- Unemployment at 4.9% (2023-24)
- CMIE Estimate
- Unemployment at 8.05%
- Global Economists' Doubts
- 70% question credibility of government figures
- Youth Unemployment
- 83% of unemployed in India are youth (ILO)