India’s unemployment edges to 5.2% in September as rural‐urban joblessness rises

India’s unemployment rate rose marginally to **5.2 % in September 2025**, from 5.1 % in August, according to the monthly PLFS bulletin. Urban joblessness moved up to 6.8 % while rural unemployment climbed to 4.6 %. Women in urban areas saw their rate hit 9.3 %. Labour force participation also strengthened to 55.3 %. Economists caution that structural challenges and seasonal demand shifts may exert further pressure. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}