New Delhi: India's unemployment rate (UR) among persons aged 15 years and above rose to a six-month high of 5.2 per cent in April 2026, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Friday.

The unemployment rate remained broadly stable compared with 5.1 per cent recorded in March 2026 and April 2025, but matched the previous high seen in October 2025, according to the 13th monthly PLFS bulletin for April 2026.

Urban unemployment eased marginally to 6.6 per cent in April from 6.8 per cent in March, while rural unemployment increased to 4.6 per cent from 4.3 per cent during the same period. On a year-on-year basis, unemployment levels in both rural and urban areas remained largely unchanged.

Among males aged 15 years and above, the unemployment rate stood at 5.1 per cent in April 2026, compared with 5 per cent in March and 5.2 per cent in April 2025.

Rural male unemployment increased from 4.4 per cent in March to 4.7 per cent in April, while urban male unemployment declined from 6.1 per cent to 5.9 per cent.

Female unemployment rate was recorded at 5.4 per cent in April 2026 against 5.3 per cent in March and 5 per cent in April 2025. Rural female unemployment fell to 4.1 per cent from 4.4 per cent over the month, while urban female unemployment declined to 8.5 per cent from 9 per cent. The report noted that urban female unemployment was at its lowest level since April 2025.

The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above declined to 55 per cent in April 2026 from 55.4 per cent in March 2026 and 55.6 per cent in April 2025. Rural LFPR stood at 57.5 per cent, while urban LFPR was recorded at 50.1 per cent.