India's Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly to 4.8% in December with LFPR at New High

India's unemployment rate slightly rose to 4.8% in December 2025 from 4.7% in November, driven mainly by an increase in urban joblessness, which reached 6.7%. Rural unemployment remained steady at 3.9%. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) climbed to 56.1%, the highest since April, with rural participation rising while urban LFPR declined marginally. Youth unemployment edged up to 14.4%. Experts note gradual labour market normalization amid ongoing volatility in short-term data.