Friday, September 7, 2012

Skills gap among youth in India

India has the largest reservoir of economically active age group population  in the world.  But due to unemployment a large proportion of this age group is not economically active. According to a recent report (October 2010) by Labour Bureau, in the 28 States/UTs surveyed, the total  population is estimated at 1182 million with 63.5 per cent population (751 million) in the working age group of 15-59 years. The worker population ratio is 325 persons per 1000 population at the overall level and 465 in the working age population (i.e. 15-59 age groups). Thus, out of  the  total  estimated population of 1182 million, 384 million constituted the working population ( employed persons). The unemployment rate in 2009-10 is estimated at 9.4 per cent at the overall level as per the usual principal status. In the rural sector, the unemployment rate is around 10 per cent, while in the urban areas the unemployment rate is about 8 percent persons out of 1000 persons in the labour force. Moreover, according to National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), over half the country's workforce is self-employed and women receive less pay than men for similar jobs. While 51% of the country's total workforce is self-employed, only 15.5% are regular wagers or salaried employees and 33.5% casual labourers. The number of people self-employed is higher in rural areas at about 54.2%, against 41.4% in urban areas. Moreover, according to National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), over half the country's workforce is self-employed and women receive less pay than men for similar jobs. While 51% of the country's total workforce is self-employed, only 15.5% are regular wagers or salaried employees and 33.5% casual labourers. Moreover, many of those in the economically active age group lack skills. So skill development is the need of the hour. All out efforts should be made to impart skill to the youngsters.
Dr.C.Murukadas, Business Line, Sep 6, 2012

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