Goa, renowned as India’s top tourist destination attracting visitors from across the globe, is facing a surprising crisis: it has emerged as the state with the highest unemployment rate in the country. The recent Periodic Labor Force Survey (PLFS) for 2023-24 has revealed shocking statistics, placing Goa’s unemployment rate at 8.7%, nearly double the national average of 4.5%. This marks a slight decrease from the previous year’s rate of 9.7%.
In stark contrast, larger states like Madhya Pradesh boast an unemployment rate of less than 1%. The situation is particularly alarming for women in Goa, with an unemployment rate of 16.8%, significantly higher than the national average of 4.9%. Additionally, the labor participation rate in Goa stands at 39%, below the national figure of 42.3%, indicating a concerning trend in job engagement.
The survey also highlights the employment distribution in Goa: 55% of the workforce is in the service sector, 19.7% in agriculture, and 30.5% in other industries. However, these sectors are struggling to create sufficient job opportunities for new entrants, especially among youth and women.
While states like Haryana have seen improvements—its unemployment rate dropped from 6.1% to 3.4%—Goa’s persistent issues emphasize the need for strategic measures to boost job creation and economic stability. The data reveals an urgent call to action for policymakers to address these challenges and foster a more inclusive job market for all residents.
