In the latest Handbook of Statistics on Indian States, published by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Goa’s average unemployment rate in rural and urban areas is 113% and 87%, respectively for the year ended March 2023. According to RBI, Goa tops in rural unemployment, while it is the eighth highest in urban unemployment among the states. While the State government’s response to this economic problem has been ‘atmanirbhar’ emphasising on self-employment, it shows a clear fallacy in government policies. This response of self-reliance and making jobs for oneself is the easy way to abdicate oneself of responsibility of providing jobs. Goa has been battling with the problems of unemployment for several decades. It ranks among the top States having educated youth. Compared to the 33 States and Union Territories in the country, the smallest State has had the highest per capita income for several years. Even after having 4,000 industrial units and a huge employment potential, lack of proper coordination between agencies has been hampering the process of providing gainful employment to Goans. Goa, with its high literacy rate, and improving infrastructural facilities, is facing a conundrum in the labour market.
