Unemployment occurs when an individual is actively seeking employment but unable to find any. It is an essential indicator of an economy's health, and it is a significant issue worldwide. In India, high unemployment rates are particularly severe due to the country's expanding population and labor demand. However, unemployment is not only about being jobless; it also includes individuals who work in sectors for which they lack the necessary skills or those who leave the workforce due to retirement, disability, or higher education.

The unemployment rate is the most commonly used measure of unemployment, calculated by dividing the total labor force by the number of jobless individuals. As it determines the ability of employees to find employment and contribute to the economy's productive output, it is a crucial economic statistic. A large portion of India's population faces unemployment due to factors such as an increase in population, a slow economic recovery, limited job opportunities, slow global sector growth, and existing programs. The situation in India is so dire that individuals with advanced degrees are readily willing to work as servants. Furthermore, many individuals work in the farming sector, which only offers employment opportunities during particular seasons.

India's vast population requires a significant amount of manpower annually. However, the administration and officials have been unable to provide adequate job opportunities. There are various causes of unemployment, including economic downturns, advancements in technology, job outsourcing, changes in jobs, and depressions. The three primary categories of unemployment are cyclical, structural, and frictional. Cyclical unemployment occurs due to changes in economic activity across the business cycle, leading to a decrease in available jobs. Structural unemployment arises due to a mismatch between the quantity of vacant posts and the number of job applicants, leading to longer-lasting unemployment. Frictional unemployment occurs when individuals enter or exit the labor market, leading to job transitions.

The unemployment rate determines the proportion of unemployed individuals in the labor force. Calculating the unemployment rate is essential to determine who is employed and who is unemployed. Changes in the number of jobless individuals and the size of the labor force have an impact on the unemployment rate. The graphs in the dashboard above show the unemployment rate in India from January 2000 to September 2022. The data source for this analysis is available at https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/UNRATE.

During the Great Recession, the international economic meltdown in 2008 brought about an increase in unemployment rates in India from 2009 to 2010. The nation's financial industries, investment patterns, and valuations were negatively impacted, leading to a significant rise in unemployment.

In April of 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic caused a sudden spike in unemployment rates, particularly among migrant workers in India's unorganized sector. The majority of India's workforce is employed in unorganized jobs, and many migrate from rural to urban areas seeking better economic opportunities. During the lockdown, which was implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many day laborers and internal migrants were left without an allowance, food, or water, and were unable to return home due to the lack of worker identification cards. A large number of these workers had no access to public transportation and had to walk hundreds of miles to reach their hometowns, leading to starvation and extreme hardship.

Unemployment not only leads to economic difficulties but also to an increase in hunger, crime, civil unrest, anxiety, and health problems. The government has taken steps to address India's unemployment rate through programmes such as the Integrated Rural Development Program, Employment Assurance Scheme, and Prime Minister's Integrated Urban Poverty Eradication Program. Additionally, regulations have been relaxed to boost job creation in the private sector, and there is a focus on developing the organized sector and cottage industries.

To fully address the issue of unemployment in India, the country's significant population must also be taken into account. The federal and local governments have made considerable efforts to address this problem, but the situation remains challenging.

In conclusion, the issue of unemployment in India has been a long-standing concern, but with the help of government programmes and the private sector, improvements have been made. However, the country's vast population remains a significant hurdle.