NEW DELHI: Reflecting the influx of immigrants and growing population over the years, East Delhi (8.3%) and North West Delhi (7.4%) districts have registered the highest jobless rate in the national Capital, the first ever district level periodic labour force survey (PLFS) data released by the statistics ministry Friday showed.On the other hand, the more affluent south (3.8%), South West (3.2%) and Central district (3.5%) have registered a low unemployment rate (UR).The district level results were derived using annual PLFS 2025 data. The survey clubbed New Delhi, Shahdara and South East Delhi districts as one unit, which recorded 2.4% UR.The labour force participation rate (LFPR), which measures the share of people above 15 years who are either working or seeking work, also reflects the pattern as East, North and North West Delhi districts had high LFPR. On the other hand, South Delhi had the lowest LFPR (41%).For women, the LFPR across all districts was estimated below 20%, lower than the national average of 30.7%, reflecting the heavily skewed nature of the Capital’s workforce. North East district (9.8%) recorded the lowest female LFPR, followed by North West district (10.7%). Even the affluent neighbourhoods of South (13.9%), Central (12.5%) and South West (15.2%) have low participation of women workers in the overall labour force.Reflecting the education profile of North and North West Delhi, which are a hub for higher education and coaching industry, data showed the former (42.9%) had the highest NEET (not in employment, education or training) rate, followed by South (36.1%) and North West (35.4%) districts. This measures the people who are neither working, nor are enrolled with any educational institution and are usually engaged in unpaid domestic work or preparing for govt exams.Female NEET rate stands high across all districts, pointing to the unequal burden of care work and household responsibilities on them. For example, North district (73.2%) has the highest female NEET rate, followed by the Central district (71.3%)
