Unemployment Among Youth – A Sociological Study

Unemployment Among Youth – A Sociological Study

Amrit Kaur¹, Milli^2*

Dept. of Sociology, PGGCG-42, Chandigarh

^*Corresponding author       

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.9010179

Received: 16 March 2025; Revised: 28 March 2025; Accepted: 02 April 2025; Published: 05 May 2025

ABSTRACT

Youth unemployment in India poses a significant socio – economic challenge with extensive repercussions. It is a serious International and National problem that affects individuals, households, and society. In India, this issue is aggravated by a rising population and the high demand for jobs. If not addressed, unemployment could have disastrous national implications. It is defined as the inability of willing and capable individuals to secure employment, despite being of working age. Essentially, unemployment refers to a shortage of job opportunities, not their complete absence. It is considered an involuntary inability to find income-generating work and is a significant sociological issue within society. This research explores the different factors, including discrepancies in education, shifts in the economy , and demographic pressures , that lead to the elevated rates of unemployment among young individuals in India. It also examines the profound causes and consequences of youth unemployment, which include psychological impacts such as increased stress, depression, and anxiety, as well as consequences like heightened crime rates, lack of policies, insufficient industries/opportunities, and a lack of awareness about government schemes. Furthermore, the paper investigates additional policy initiatives aimed at reducing youth unemployment.

Objectives of the study: The present study was undertaken (1) To examine the socio-economic background of the respondents. (2). To identify the causes of unemployment among youth. (3). to study the consequences of employment among youth. Methodology: This study was carried out among college students of Chandigarh. A semi- structured interview schedule was used for collecting information from a sample of 60 respondents who were randomly chosen as sample for the study. Data was collected through Primary and secondary sources. Triangulation was used for data collection (Both Quantitative and Qualitative methods).For Quantitative methods; structured interview schedule was used for taking interview from 60 respondents with closed and open-ended questions. For qualitative method, feedback forms were examined thematically. This entails identifying recurring themes regarding the factors and effects of unemployment. Through a sociological lens, this research seeks to understand the intersectionality of various causes and consequences contributing to youth unemployment and its pervasive impact on youth.

Keywords: Youth unemployment, Job Prefer, Job opportunities, industries/opportunities, causes and consequences of unemployment

INTRODUCTION

Unemployment is indeed a significant issue in India, with various factors contributing to the challenge of finding suitable employment. While education is important, it is not always enough to secure a job. Factors such as additional training, communication skills, language proficiency, and personality development also play a crucial role in obtaining employment. Sociological dimensions, such as age, sex, marital status, and family size, are also important considerations in understanding the causes of unemployment.

Around the globe, everyone is familiar with the concept of unemployment. However, unemployment does not necessarily mean low employment; rather, it refers to the lack of employment opportunities. In 2023, 3.2% of people faced unemployment. Unemployment causes various problems in society, often resulting in negative practices such as robbery, dishonesty, immorality, and gambling. The increase in crime is a direct consequence of unemployment. On average, an individual spends 18 years of their life obtaining education and qualifications to achieve a great degree and a stable job. But today, even the most qualified individuals remain unemployed, adding to the growing list of educated but jobless people. Unemployment is a global issue, and in India, it has reached a severe stage, compounded by a growing population, leading to hardship, deprivation, and suffering across the nation.

Employment Status of Youth

In India according to 2023 census, the youth population stands at 356 million, having largest youth population. Whereas in 2011 Census, 102 million youths were active in the labor market in which nearly 8 per cent of them were out of work and those who were working among them 20 per cent have formal salaried employment and nearly half were self-employed. These self-employments were primarily petty trading, cultivation, managing small enterprises, etc. A large part – over i.e. one fourth – was employed as casual laborers with no guarantee of availability of work or income from day to day. It therefore follows that gainful employment among youth is not up to the mark with hardly anyone working in regular productive employment.

Unemployment Rate Among the Educated Youth

The India Employment Report 2024, published by the Institute for Human Development (IHD) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) talked about unemployment rate among youth. The ILO’s Global Report Trends for Youth in 2022 stated that the global youth unemployment rate was 15.6% in 2021. Further, in the ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook Trends for 2024, it was stated that in 2023, the youth unemployment rate globally was 13.3%.

As per 2024 Annual PLFS Reports, the youth unemployment rate of 15-29 years was 12.9% in 2020-21, 12.4% in 2021-22, and 10.0% in 2022-23. This indicates that the youth unemployment rate in the nation is decreasing.

The estimated Unemployment Rate (UR) on usual status for persons of age 15 years and above at different general education level during 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 are as follows:

The rate of unemployment for persons 15 years and older differs with educational attainment between 2020-23. Amongst youth in the age group 15-29, the worker population ratio (WPR) reflects an increase in employment from 36.1% during 2020-21 to 40.1% during 2022-23, which points towards increased youth employment.

Government Initiatives for Youth Employment

To enhance job creation and employability, the Indian government is focused on initiatives for marginalized groups and others. In the 2023-24 budget, a significant capital investment increase of 33% to Rs 10 lakh crore (3.3% of GDP) aims to foster growth and job opportunities.

The Aatmanirbhar Bharat package, valued at over Rs 27 lakh crore, was introduced to mitigate COVID-19’s impact, while schemes like the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (which benefited 60.47 lakh people) and the PM SVANidhi Scheme (78.08 lakh loans sanctioned for street vendors) support job creation.

Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana has sanctioned over 44.41 crore loans to help establish small businesses, while the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme is expected to generate 60 lakh jobs. The PM Gati Shakti initiative focuses on infrastructure development in key sectors to spur economic growth and job opportunities.

Gati Shakti program aims to drive economic growth and job creation through infrastructure building in major sectors.

Types Of Youth Unemployment in India

Unemployment among youth has several types which are discussed as follow:

Structural Unemployment: Structural Unemployment occurs when there is a gap between the available skills of workers and the available jobs’ required skills. Technological changes or economic changes may render skills obsolete, making individuals unemployed. In order to remain in the workforce, employees might need to acquire new skills that fit the existing job market.

Frictional Unemployment: It is transitory and occurs when individuals switch jobs. It may take place when employees quit their present job to acquire a superior one or shift to another region, generally because they lack perfect knowledge of job prospects. It is typically short-term and occurs due to regular job market fluctuations.

Cyclical Unemployment: It occurs due to fluctuations in the economy. When there is a recession, fewer jobs are present, and unemployment increases. When the economy is expanding, generally, there are fewer unemployed individuals.

Voluntary Unemployment: It arises when individuals voluntarily do not want to work for the prevailing wage rate. It may occur due to high tax rates or welfare benefits that ensure that it becomes more desirable to remain at home than to work.

Regional unemployment: It occurs when some regions experience more unemployment because there has been a in local businesses. For instance, if a major business in a particular region closes down, most people within that region may lose employment.

Seasonal Unemployment: occurs in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and construction, in which employment is only possible during specific periods. Employees in such industries can experience unemployment during lean season.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Review of literature is a very important for any type of research work. The term “Review of Literature” refers to the past knowledge of the studies that has been reviewed again related to the present topic of the research. Literature review involves the surveys of articles and other sources of concerned area of the topic. The reviews explain the previous ideas and it helps researchers to bring new ideas in the present study.

This review examines “Unemployment among college students of Chandigarh.”It also aims to discuss the causes and consequences of unemployment among youth.

Fasih (2008) conducted, a study using the 2005-2006 Labour Force Survey looked at factors affecting unemployment, reasons for working in formal jobs, the benefits of education, and the hours people work. In Pakistan, young people face several challenges in finding jobs, but many of these challenges are also faced by older workers. To improve this situation, it’s important to create more job opportunities for both young people and adults. Developing a job portal where employers and job seekers can share information about available jobs should be a priority. Additionally, investing in education—both formal and informal—and making sure that what people learn in school matches what employers need would greatly help young people in their future careers.

Crombie (1989) in his study “Trends in Suicide and unemployment in Scotland” examined whether or not their exist a correlation relationship between unemployment and suicide among men in Scotland during 1976-1986. It was found that national relationship between unemployment and suicide exist, but this is not confined to any specific region. The data does not favour the hypothesis that a rise in unemployment leads to more men to committing suicide.

Yarima (2014) conducted a study on Socio-economic effects of unemployment among the youth in Nigeria to discover how the lack of jobs influences youths in Azare metropolitan, Katagum local government area, Bauchi state, Nigeria. It was found that the majority of unemployed youths are semi-skilled or unskilled individuals who do not hold higher education. Unemployment increases crimes, which makes the community unsafe. It also leads to social issues by influencing the values of people. The study points out that drug abuse and crime are big problems for unemployed youth, and all of them concurred that drug abuse is prevalent in this category.

Rationale of Study

After reviewing the studies, it was found that rarest of the rarest research works have been conducted to assess Unemployment among college students of Chandigarh, especially those who are graduates. Most research is conducted on unemployment worldwide focuses on its nature and structure, neglecting the perspective of unemployment among graduate youth. Additionally, various causes and consequences of unemployment among youth in Chandigarh have not been adequately addressed in previous research. To fill this gap, the present research aims to examine the Unemployment among college students of Chandigarh.

Objectives of the Study

1. To explore the socio-demographic profile of the respondent.
2. To identify the causes and consequences of unemployment among youth.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The present study attempts to assess the Unemployment among Youth specially College students. It also focuses on the causes and Consequences of Unemployment among college students. Accordingly, a Semi- Structured interview schedule was prepared with both open-ended questions to collect the primary data.

Universe of the Study

The study is conducted among college students of Chandigarh. Post Graduate Government College for Girls, Sector 42, Chandigarh and Post Graduate Government College, Sector -11, Chandigarh were purposively selected.

Sample of the Study

The quantitative data was collected by taking the interview of 60 respondents; selecting 30 each from both the colleges. During the sampling process, at the first stage, universe was divided using Stratified Sampling Method. Further, for selection of respondents convenient sampling method was used.

Target Population: The research concentrates on young individual particularly the college students from Chandigarh. This selection of participants is notably pertinent as college students often embody a crucial segment of the youth demographic encountering job-related difficulties.

Techniques of Data Collection

Data was collected through Primary and secondary sources. Triangulation was used for data collection (Both Quantitative and Qualitative methods). For Quantitative methods; structured interview schedule was used for taking interview from 60 respondents with closed and open-ended questions. For qualitative method, feedback forms were examined thematically. This entails identifying recurring themes regarding the factors and effects of unemployment.

Ethical Considerations

Informed consent – Making sure that the participants understand the study’s objectives and their involvement.

Confidentiality: Protecting the identities and responses of the participants.

Voluntary Participants: Permitting participants to withdraw if they wish.

DATA DISCUSSION

After collecting the data, the information collection was tabulated on the basis of the responses given by the respondents, in order to generalize the responses to the Respondents

Table No. 1

Distribution of Respondents on the basis of Age Group

The data in the above table show that large majority of respondents i.e. 88.4% belongs to the age group of 21-30 year, followed by 8.3% in the age group of 11-20 years, whereas 3% in the age group of 31-40 years. So majority of our respondents were from the age group of 21-30years.

Table No.2 Distribution of Respondent on the basis of Gender

The above table show the distribution of respondents based on gender, it was found that large majority of respondent’s i.e.  70% are female, while 30% are male. Additionally, there are no respondents who identify as “Other” (means Transgender).

Table No.3 Distribution of Respondent on the basis of Religion

Table No. 3 show the distribution of respondents on the basis of their religion. It was found that 73.33% of respondents belonged to the Hindu community, followed by 25% of respondents from the Sikh community and 1.67% of respondents from the Muslim community. There was none of the respondents found to be Christian, Buddhist and Jainism.

Table No. 4 Distribution of Respondent on the basis of Marital Status

Table no 4 indicates that majority of respondents i.e. 86.6% were unmarried, whereas only 13.4% were married. There were none of the respondents in our study found to be divorced or widowed.

Table No.5 Distribution of Respondent on the basis of Educational Qualification

Education wise distribution of the respondents shows that majority of respondents were graduates i.e. (41.7%), followed by postgraduates (38.3%), while 10% respondents had education upto 12^th, whereas 10% were diploma diploma holders. So, it is clear that respondents were still unemployed even after they have completed their Graduation and Post-Graduation in different streams.

Table No. 6 Respondents Trying for Employment

Table no. 6 brings out the results that an overwhelming proportion of the respondents (81.6%) are trying to get job seriously and the remaining 18.4% are never trying for the job.

It is clear from the above data that the majority of unemployed people are actively looking for work. However, there is a significant minority who has not even tried to get a job. This may be due to a number of factors, including discouragement, lack of job opportunities, or other barriers to employment.

Table No.7 Nature of Job Prefer by the Respondents

The data shows that more than half of the educated youth i.e 61.7% prefer government jobs, whereas another 21.7% percent educated youth prefer private jobs. In addition, a small section of the educated youth i.e.8.3 percent prefers semi government jobs. While 8.3% wants to run their own business .

So, it is clear from the above table that there is a strong preference for government jobs among unemployed respondents. This may be due to a number of factors, including the perception of job security, higher salaries, and better benefits in the government sector.

Table No.8 Duration of Unemployment according to the Respondents

Table no. 8 reveals that the duration of unemployment of the respondents. One third of the respondents have been unemployed for over a year, followed by 28.3% who have been unemployed for less than 6 months, 20% who have been unemployed for 3 years, and 16.7% who have been unemployed for 2 years.

This data suggests that a significant proportion of unemployed respondents have been out of work for a long period of time. This can have a number of negative consequences, including financial hardship, loss of skills, and decreased self-esteem.

Table No.9 Responses of Respondents by Type of Unemployment

Table no. 9 mentions the type of unemployment of the respondents. A sizeable proportion of the respondents (71.3%) were voluntarily unemployed due to not-found suitable jobs according to their academic qualifications, or they find the irregular jobs which prevail in nearby areas.

Table No.10 Response of the Respondents “Whether the past education and training they receive being useful for job attainment or not”

The above table shows the distribution of respondents on the basis of the past education\training they receive being useful or not which status that there was equal probability of respondents i.e. 50% believed that it was useful and other 50% believed it was not.

Table No.11 Distribution of Respondent on the basis of any Skill Acquired by them other than their Education Qualification to obtain Job

The above table shows the division of respondents on the basis of skills acquired other than education qualification to attain job. Accordingly, only 40% of the respondents have acquired skill other than their education qualification to obtain a job, while 60% did not acquire any additional skills.

There are a number of possible reasons why such a low percentage of respondents acquired skills other than their education qualification to obtain a job. These reasons include:

• Respondents may not have the opportunity to acquire additional skills.
• Respondents may not have been aware of the need to acquire additional skills.
• Respondents may not have the resources to acquire additional skills (e.g., time, money).
• Respondents may not have been able to find training programs that were relevant to their job goals.

Table No.12 Distribution of Respondents based on the Causes of Unemployment among Youth

Above table analysis the cause of unemployment among youth.

The primary cause contributing to unemployment among youth is lack of proficiency in English. 60% of respondents agree with the statement that lack of proficiency in English pose a barrier to securing employment. Respondents stated that many job opportunities require strong communication skills in English and without them; young individuals may encounter difficulties in obtaining certain positions. This can limit their employment options and opportunities for career growth. However, 40% respondents believe that lack of proficiency in English does not poses a barrier for attaining the job.

Lack of computer knowledge is the other cause of unemployment among youth. More than 65 % of the respondents have an opinion that lack of computer knowledge can indeed be another factor contributing to youth unemployment. Respondents stated without proficiency in using computers and technology, young individuals may find it challenging to compete for jobs in various industries. It’s essential for youth to continuously enhance their computer knowledge to improve their employability and access more opportunities in the job market.

For more that 75% respondents, Lack of industries and opportunities is the another cause of unemployment among youth, while 23% of the respondents do not agree with this statement.

With regard to knowledge about government schemes, more than half of the respondents stated that a lack of knowledge about government schemes causes unemployment among youth. Lack of knowledge about government schemes can limit the ability of youth to access important resources and support that could help them enter the workforce and contribute to the economy. On the other hand, 38% of respondents are familiar with government programs and schemes, which assist in generating employment opportunities.

75% respondents stated that Political instability among youth can lead to unemployment. When there is political unrest or uncertainty, it can create an unstable environment for businesses to operate in. This instability may lead to a decrease in job opportunities and economic growth.

81% of the respondents stated that low wages is another significant cause contributing to unemployment among youth.  When wages are not enough to cover basic needs, it can de motivate individuals from seeking employment or push them to take on multiple jobs just to get by. This situation can lead to job dissatisfaction, lack of motivation, and ultimately result in higher turnover rates. While 18% did not agree with this statement.

Respondents have an opinion that Nepotism is the cause for unemployment among youth. 86.7% of respondents stated that jobs should be given to deserving candidates and not based on nepotism.

Table No.13 Responses of the Respondents based on the Consequences of Unemployment

The data in Table 13 indicates that, out of total respondents 96.7% of the respondents feel that unemployment leads to unhappy, while 3.3% of the respondents do not agree with this statement

The next big challenges for an unemployed person are the psychological effects (that includes boredom, anxiety, depression, distress and feeling of failure). More than 96% of the respondents come across with the feeling of failure, distress, anxiety, and boredom as compare to 3% who did not fell so.

Majority of the despondence (95 %) have a negative feeling about their future and the remaining 5% feel no fear about what lies ahead.

98.4%   of the respondent have been pointed out that the main consequence of unemployment problem often leads to domestic disputes’ within their families which effects the family environment.

95% of respondents agreed that the growth of unemployment has led to increased corruption and dishonesty among youth. Meanwhile, 5% disagreed with this perception.

Unemployment among the youth may increase the risk of alcoholism, drug addiction, and anti-social activities like robbery, burglary, theft, murder etc. Hence, there may be more social tensions.

The vast majority of respondents (95% or more) believe that unemployment has negative consequences, including creating unhappiness, increasing crime rates, negatively affecting family environments, leading to corruption and dishonesty, hindering personal life, creating uncertainty about the future, increasing drug and alcoholism addiction, and leading to stress, anxiety, depression, and suicide.

CONCLUSION

Youth unemployment is still a major problem in India and around the world. The numerous causes of unemployment are highlighted in this study, such as insufficient policy awareness, lack of opportunity and structural gaps. Despite government efforts, the results shows that many young people, especially those between the ages of 21 years and 30 years, have difficulty finding steady work.

Unemployment has serious repercussions including increased criminality mental health issues and financial hardships. A multifaceted strategy is much needed to address youth unemployment, including industrial expansion to close the gap, skill development initiatives and educational reforms. Although government programs like the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and the aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana had made progress in creating jobs, more work is required to guarantee long term employment for the expanding Youth population.

It is interesting to note that a large number of unemployed individuals in the study belong to the age group of 21-30 years, with many actively seeking job opportunities. Graduates seem to be facing more challenges in finding employment compared to postgraduates. Government jobs are preferred more by the respondents due to job security, higher salaries, and better benefits. This data suggests that a significant proportion of unemployed respondents have been out of work for a long period of time. This can have a number of negative consequences, including financial hardship, loss of skills, and decreased self-esteem. A sizeable proportion of the respondents (71.3%) were voluntarily unemployed due to not-found suitable jobs according to their academic qualifications, or they find the irregular jobs which prevail in nearby areas.

There are some causes of unemployment to which our respondents have agreed on. As they consider English as a barrier in obtaining a job. According to them computer knowledge also has its significance in today’s world to get a job which acts as a hindrance.  Also, the industries are not providing enough opportunity to people. Along with it the political instability is another cause of unemployment for youth in India. Well, Nepotism is a very hot issue, which can be seen contributing in the increase of unemployment.  As causes have been discussed there are some consequences which have been highlighted by our respondents which are unemployment will bring disharmony in our society, the family environment will get disturbed.  Divorce rate will rise. Crime rate will be touching the sky. People will Get more indulge in bad habits like alcoholism or drug. People will not only suffer from physical problems but also psychological problems like Anxiety or Depression.

To address youth unemployment effectively, it is imperative to adopt a multifaceted approach that addresses its root causes while providing support and opportunities for young people. This necessitates investment in education and skills development, labour market reforms, and targeted youth employment programs. Additionally, efforts to combat discrimination and promote inclusive growth are essential for creating a more equitable society where every young person has the chance to succeed. Moving forward, collaboration between policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, and young people themselves will be crucial in devising and implementing effective solutions. Sociologists have a vital role to play in informing policy decisions, advocating for social justice, and amplifying the voices of marginalized youth. By working together across sectors and disciplines, we can strive towards a future where youth unemployment is no longer a barrier to individual fulfilment and societal progress.

Suggestions

1. Youth should not waste time by only searching for a job. During this interim period, they should focus on acquiring necessary training, technical and soft skills, language proficiency, personality development, leadership qualities, etc.
2. The government should offer incentives and create a supportive environment for girls to work safely and independently.
3. Eliminating nepotism and ensuring that jobs are given to deserving candidates can promote fairness and meritocracy in the job market.
4. The government should monitor population growth, especially in densely populated states.
5. The government should implement effective employment policies to facilitate job creation.
6. The government should provide accessible job portals and apps to simplify the job search and application process.
7. Educational institutions should prioritize practical learning over theoretical knowledge.

REFERENCES

1. Abraham, V. (2009). Employment growth in rural India: distress-driven?. Economic and Political Weekly, 97-104.
2. Agarwal, B.L. 1977. Educated Unemployment in India, Bombay: Commercial Publication.
3. Ara, S. The Challenge of Youth Employment in India: A Gender Perspective Check for updates. Youth in Indian Labour Market: Issues, Challenges and Policies, 165.
4. Crombie, I. K. (1989). Trends in suicide and unemployment in Scotland, 1976-86. British medical journal, 298(6676), 782-784.
5. Ghose, A. K. (2016). India employment report 2016: Challenges and the imperative of manufacturing-led growth. OUP Catalogue.
6. Far, N., Ali, A., & Shuja, A. (2021). Effects of Job Market Demand on Higher Education in Pakistan. Global Regional Review, VI, 6, 196-212.
7. Government of India (1987). A Handbook of Education and Allied Statistics, New Delhi: Ministry of Human Resource Development.
8. Government of India (1987). Education in India, New Delhi: Ministry of Human Resource Development.
9. ILO, (2012). Global Employment Trends 2012: Preventing a Deeper Jobs Crisis. Geneva: ILO.
10. Jayaram, N. (1991). Higher education in India: State policy and social constraints. Higher Education Policy, 4, 36-40.
11. Sapna, B., & Chandna, J. (2019). An Analytical study of Unemployment in India. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 04 (05), 25, 29.
12. Singh, R. (2018). The cause of unemployment in current market scenario. Vivechan International Journal of Research, 9(1), 81-86.
13. Yarima, Y. A. (2014). Socio-economic effects of unemployment among the youth in Nigeria. Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business Research, 3(5), 240-249.