3.57 lakh unemployed youth registered in J&K till November

3.57 lakh unemployed youth registered in J&K till November

During November alone, 481 new job seekers were added to the unemployment registers

Srinagar, Dec 30: The number of registered unemployed youth in Jammu and Kashmir has risen to 3,57,328 as of November 2025, highlighting the continuing employment challenge in the Union Territory, according to the latest official data.

During November alone, 481 new job seekers were added to the unemployment registers.

Source: GK newspaper

A regional breakup of the figures shows that the Kashmir Division continues to bear a larger share of the unemployment burden, with over 2.08 lakh registered job seekers, compared to more than 1.50 lakh in the Jammu Division. Officials said the data reflects long-standing regional and sectoral imbalances in job availability.

District-wise figures reveal significant variation. Anantnag recorded the highest number of registered unemployed youth at 32,298, followed by Pulwama with 28,671 and Kathua with 26,798. Srinagar district reported 23,826 unemployed youth on official rolls, while Kulgam registered 21,446. At the other end of the scale, Kishtwar reported the lowest number with 8,870 registrations, followed by Reasi at 12,376.

The data also highlights a pronounced gender gap. Of the total registered unemployed youth, 2,33,845 are male, while 1,27,301 are female, indicating lower workforce participation and registration among women despite rising educational attainment.

In response to the growing numbers, the government has reiterated its focus on employment generation through entrepreneurship and skill development. Officials said the Employment Department, under Mission Youth and Mission YUVA, is working towards creating around 4.25 lakh job opportunities. The plan envisages the establishment of nearly 1.37 lakh entrepreneurship units, with emphasis on self-employment, startups, and capacity building across sectors.

However, economists and labour experts caution that the registration figures do not reflect the true extent of unemployment in the region. The total number of unemployed youth in J&K has been officially estimated at around 3.6 lakh—approximately two lakh in Kashmir and 1.5 lakh in Jammu—suggesting an unemployment rate of about 4.3 per cent. This rate is calculated only on the basis of registered, educated unemployed youth seeking government jobs.

According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey conducted by the Government of India, Jammu and Kashmir’s unemployment rate stands at 6.1 percent, nearly double the national average of 3.2 percent. This discrepancy indicates that a substantial number of unemployed individuals, particularly those engaged in informal job searches or outside government employment channels, remain outside the official registration system.

Experts argue that while entrepreneurship-focused schemes are important, sustained private investment, industry expansion, and economic diversification are essential to generate stable employment and absorb the growing number of educated youth entering the labour market each year. (Greater Kashmir)