Shillong: The unemployment rate in Meghalaya stands at 2.98%, which is significantly lower than the national average of 6.78%. This data was presented by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Tuesday in the Meghalaya Assembly, citing figures from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).
According to Tynsong, CMIE’s latest unemployment figures, updated monthly, reflect the most current data for January 2024. He also referenced data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for 2023, which reported Meghalaya’s unemployment rate at 6%. However, Tynsong emphasized that this older figure does not accurately reflect the current employment dynamics for the financial year 2024.
During the Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Assembly, Tynsong responded to a special motion brought by UDP legislator Lahkmen Rymbui. He noted that over the seven-year period from 2017 to 2024, Meghalaya’s unemployment rates have generally trended downward, beginning at a high of 8.8% in 2017-18 and reaching a low of 1.9% in 2021-22.
“The average unemployment rate for Meghalaya is 3.9%, compared to a substantially higher national rate of 7%,” Tynsong stated. He added that the PLFS data shows an average unemployment rate of 2.9% for Meghalaya, compared to a national average of 4.7% during the same period.
Tynsong highlighted that Meghalaya’s labour market has been consistently more resilient and dynamic in creating and sustaining employment opportunities compared to the national scenario. He attributed this to the government’s concerted efforts to provide gainful employment and promote inclusive, sustainable growth across various sectors, such as agriculture, livestock, industries, and services.
He also outlined the government’s focus on sectors that have the potential to create job opportunities, including hospitality, tourism, organic farming, food processing, arts and crafts, music, and sports. The government aims to generate an additional 500,000 employment opportunities by 2028, with 230,000 of these expected to come from agriculture and allied activities alone.
Other sectors contributing to employment targets include trade, hotels, and transportation, expected to create 150,000 jobs; construction and manufacturing, expected to add 53,000 and 23,000 jobs, respectively; and mining, electricity, and real estate, which will collectively add another 10,000 jobs.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Tynsong emphasized that achieving these targets will require strategic initiatives in skill development, entrepreneurship, advanced skills and innovation, international opportunities, and strengthening growth drivers for self-employment. He also highlighted various government initiatives across different departments aimed at addressing the unemployment challenge.
Also Read | Zubeen Garg, Lou Majaw awarded honorary D.Litt. at USTM’s 10th Convocation