PANAJI
Goa has recorded the highest unemployment rate in India, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
The report shows that between January and December 2025, Goa’s unemployment rate stood at 8.3 per cent, well above the national average of 3.1 per cent.
Nagaland ranked second with 6.7 per cent, followed by Arunachal Pradesh at 6.6 per cent.
Other States with high unemployment included Manipur (5.9), Punjab (5.3), Uttarakhand (5.1), Telangana (5), Meghalaya (4.8), Haryana (4.5), Himachal Pradesh (4.5), and Rajasthan (4.3). Gujarat reported the lowest rate at just 0.9 per cent. Madhya Pradesh (1.5), Karnataka (2.3), Chhattisgarh (2.3), and Maharashtra (2.4) also recorded relatively low figures.
The PLFS survey covered 1.48 lakh households and 6.56 lakh individuals across the country, spanning all education levels from primary to postgraduate.
In Goa, the rural unemployment rate was 11.9 per cent, compared to 6.1 per cent in urban areas. Rural men faced 12.1 per cent unemployment, while rural women recorded 11.4 per cent. In cities and towns, the rate was 6.6 per cent for men and 4.8 per cent for women.
The State government has previously argued that the numbers are inflated as many individuals already employed in private jobs keep their names on the employment exchange register, hoping for government positions.
This, officials say, artificially raises the unemployment figures.
Among Union Territories, Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported the highest unemployment at 10 per cent. Lakshadweep followed with 6.9 per cent, Chandigarh with 5.7 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir with 4.9 percent, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli with 1.6 per cent.
The findings underline a stark contrast between Goa’s job market and the rest of the country. While several States have managed to keep unemployment below the national average, Goa’s figures remain stubbornly high.
The report is expected to intensify debate on employment policies and the State’s reliance on government jobs.
