Question

In rural areas of Kerala (2023-24), what was the youth unemployment rate for females?

• A. A. 22.2%
• B. B. 37.0%
• C. C. 56.6%
• D. D. 15.9%

Answer 1

Answer:

C. C. 56.6%

Understanding Youth Unemployment in Kerala's Rural Areas

• The high youth unemployment rate for females in rural Kerala, specifically 56.6% for 2023-24, highlights a significant challenge despite the state's impressive social development indicators.
• This figure pertains to individuals generally in the 15-29 age group, often referred to as youth unemployment.
• Kerala often exhibits a unique paradox: high literacy rates and educational attainment among its population, including women, but concurrently higher unemployment rates compared to many other Indian states.
• Several factors contribute to this phenomenon, particularly for young women in rural areas:
  • Limited Local Opportunities: Rural areas often lack sufficient industrial or service sector jobs that align with the educational qualifications of young women.
  • Skill Mismatch: There can be a gap between the skills possessed by graduates and the demands of the available job market.
  • Higher Aspirations: Educated youth, particularly women, might prefer white-collar jobs or jobs with better working conditions, leading them to wait longer for suitable employment rather than taking up available lower-paying or less desirable jobs.
  • Social and Cultural Factors: Traditional roles and societal expectations can sometimes limit the mobility and job choices for women in rural settings.
  • Lower Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): While education levels are high, the actual participation of women in the workforce remains lower than desired in many rural areas.
• Data for unemployment rates are primarily collected through surveys like the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Competitive exam aspirants should be familiar with this body and its surveys.
• Key Economic Terms for Exams:
  • Unemployment Rate: Defined as the percentage of unemployed persons in the labour force (unemployed + employed).
  • Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): The percentage of the population (usually 15 years and above) that is either working or seeking work.
  • Worker Population Ratio (WPR): The percentage of the population (usually 15 years and above) that is employed.
• The 'Kerala Model of Development' is renowned for its achievements in social sectors like health and education, but addressing employment generation, especially for educated youth and women, remains a critical area of focus.
• Government initiatives in Kerala, such as Kudumbashree (a poverty eradication and women empowerment program) and ASAP (Additional Skill Acquisition Programme) Kerala, aim to enhance employability and create self-employment opportunities, especially for youth and women.