Archive · 26 Aug 2026
India’s Youth Work Crisis Affects One in Three Gen Zs
A government report says many young people in India are not studying, training or working.
It estimates that about one in three people aged 15 to 29 were in this situation.
Some were staying at home or helping with household chores.
The information comes from surveys carried out in 2020 and 2021.
That was when COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted jobs and education.
Because the data is several years old, the situation may be different today.
However, the article says the problem has not disappeared.
It presents the issue as a shortage of work and opportunities for young people, not simply a lack of skills.
Government data cited by NITI Aayog shows 33% of Indians aged 15–29 were not in education, training or gainful employment.
The affected young people were described as being at home, sometimes helping with household work.
The figures come from surveys conducted in 2020–21, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lockdowns were associated with increased unemployment and reduced enrolment in educational institutions.
The article says conditions may have improved since then but remain far from satisfactory.
- Who
- Indians aged 15–29, described in the article as Gen Z.
- What
- About 33% were not in education, training or gainful employment.
- When
- The cited surveys were conducted in 2020–21; the article also discusses the situation now.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The article links the especially severe survey results to COVID-19 lockdowns, which increased unemployment and reduced education enrolment.
- Affected group
- Indians aged 15–29
- Share affected
- 33%, or one in three
- Status measured
- Not in education, training or gainful employment
- Data source
- Government data reproduced in a NITI Aayog report
- Survey period
- 2020–21
- Context
- The surveys largely took place during COVID-19 lockdowns
- Current assessment
- The article says conditions may have improved but remain problematic