Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Young Workers Drive India’s Formal Employment, Quess Report Says
A Quess Corp report says many young people are joining India’s formal workforce.
It found that 59% of new Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation subscribers in FY25 were aged 18–25.
In FY26, most new Universal Account Numbers went to people aged 18–30.
People aged 21–25 were the largest age group among the new account holders.
The report also counted nearly 64,000 apprenticeship contracts.
More than half of those apprenticeships were in the automotive sector.
Apprenticeships can help young people learn job skills and gain workplace experience.
Women made up about one-quarter of new account holders and apprenticeship contracts.
Many formal jobs were located in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
Nearly 59% of new Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation subscribers in FY25 were aged 18–25, despite headlines describing the figure as nearly seven in 10.
Of more than 57,000 new Universal Account Numbers generated in FY26, 79% belonged to workers aged 18–30; those aged 21–25 made up over 35%.
Nearly 64,000 apprenticeship contracts were facilitated under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, with automotive accounting for more than 51%.
Women represented nearly 28% of new Universal Account Numbers and 26% of apprenticeship contracts in FY26.
About 69% of the workforce was deployed in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, while 96% had completed at least Class 10.
- Who
- Young workers, apprentices, women entering employment, employers, Quess Corp, and Lohit Bhatia, Quess Corp’s Executive Director and Group CEO.
- What
- A Quess Corp workforce report found that young people accounted for a large share of new formal employment subscriptions, Universal Account Numbers, and apprenticeships in India.
- When
- The figures cover FY25 and FY26; the report was cited on Wednesday.
- Where
- India, including tier 2 and tier 3 cities; the reports were datelined Bengaluru.
- Why
- The report attributes the trend to young people entering formal employment and highlights apprenticeships and industry-led skilling as ways to build employability.
Report-Based Interpretation
Cautious Interpretation
Are young workers rejecting formal employment?
Report-Based Interpretation
The report says the data challenges the idea that Gen Z is shunning formal jobs, showing that young people make up a substantial share of new formal workers.
Cautious Interpretation
The figures show the age profile of new subscribers and account holders, but they do not by themselves establish why young people are joining or whether they will remain in formal employment.
What should employers prioritize?
Report-Based Interpretation
Quess Corp argues that employers should move beyond hiring and strengthen apprenticeships, industry-led skilling, and employability development.
Cautious Interpretation
The report also records a continuing education-to-employment gap, with youth not in employment, education, or training reported at 24.8% in 2025, indicating that formal-workforce growth remains uneven.
- FY25 age share
- Nearly 59% of new Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation subscribers were aged 18–25.
- FY26 new accounts
- More than 57,000 new Universal Account Numbers were generated.
- FY26 age distribution
- Workers aged 18–30 accounted for 79% of new Universal Account Numbers, while those aged 21–25 accounted for over 35%.
- Apprenticeship contracts
- Nearly 64,000 contracts were facilitated under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme.
- Automotive share
- The automotive sector accounted for more than 51% of apprenticeship contracts.
- Women’s participation
- Women represented nearly 28% of new Universal Account Numbers and 26% of apprenticeship contracts.
- Workforce profile
- About 69% of the workforce was in tier 2 and tier 3 cities; 96% had completed at least Class 10, 61% had completed Class 12 or above, and 30% held graduate or postgraduate qualifications.
