The unemployment rate in Delhi rose by 17.4 percentage points during the Covid-19 pandemic-induced nationwide lockdown—from 11.1% recorded in January-February 2020 to 28.5% recorded in October-November 2020—according to a Delhi government survey, which HT has seen.
Even among those employed, average incomes dropped significantly from Rs 16,511 to Rs 15,383 in the period concerned.
The findings are a result of the Delhi government-commissioned survey and had been carried out by the Centre for Market Research and Social Development. The survey, which is yet to be shared in the public domain, has a sample size of 44,226 individuals across all 11 revenue districts in Delhi.
Among the unemployed respondents, the survey has observed that 56% were jobless for over six months and continued to look for work. While 30% of them said they were unable to find work due to the economic slump, 29.3% cited “closure of business” as the reason for their joblessness.
The number of employed earning less than Rs 5,000 per month rose from 7% in January-February to 13% by October 2020. Those earning between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 dropped from 30% to 20% in the said period.
More worryingly, the report noted, that 83 per cent women are out of the labour force, which is 31.6 per cent in case of men. Among the 83 per cent women unemployed and unavailable for work, 16.6 per cent are graduates, 27.6 per cent have cleared Class 12 and 23.8 per cent have studied till Class 10.
Gender-wise analysis found that 31.6 per cent male respondents were out of labour force, while the male labour force participation rate (LFPR) was 68.4 per cent, male work force participation rate (WPR) was 52.6 per cent and the male unemployment rate (UR) was 23.2 per cent during the survey in October – November 020.
“However, 83.1% female respondents were out of labour force, while the female labour force participation rate (LFPR) was 16.9%, female work force participation rate (WPR) was 7.6% and the female unemployment rate (UR) was 54.7% during survey in October – November 2020,” the survey found.
