India’s unemployment rate hit a 4-month high of 8.11% in April, up from 7.8% in March, according to the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy. Urban unemployment rose to 9.81%, while rural unemployment slightly decreased to 7.34%. Despite this, job creation increased in April, with 22.1 million jobs created – 94.6% in rural areas and 54.8% in urban areas.
These figures highlight the ongoing challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government to create more jobs as India’s population continues to grow, with national elections next summer adding further pressure.