A growing number of educated young people in Jammu and Kashmir are struggling to find suitable employment despite earning college degrees, raising concerns about the widening gap between education and job creation in the Union Territory.
According to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023–24, graduates account for just 13 per cent of the workforce in Jammu and Kashmir. The figure points to a significant challenge for the region, where thousands of students complete higher education every year but face limited employment opportunities.
The employment situation is particularly concerning given that Jammu and Kashmir’s unemployment rate stands at 6.7 per cent, considerably higher than the national average of 3.5 per cent. Experts believe the low participation of graduates in the workforce reflects a combination of unemployment, underemployment and a shortage of jobs that match educational qualifications.
Every year, more than 25,000 students graduate from colleges and universities across the Union Territory, with many others completing postgraduate, technical and professional programmes. However, the economy has struggled to absorb this growing pool of educated talent.
The structure of employment in Jammu and Kashmir continues to be dominated by self-employment. Survey data shows that between 58 and 67 per cent of workers are self-employed, largely in agriculture, small businesses, family enterprises and local services. Formal salaried opportunities remain limited, especially for skilled professionals.
Women face even greater barriers in entering the workforce. Estimates indicate that unemployment among women aged 15 to 29 remains significantly high, while urban female unemployment continues to exceed that of men by a wide margin. Many educated women remain outside formal employment due to a combination of limited opportunities and social factors.
The data also highlights deeper structural issues within the region’s economy. Agriculture remains the largest source of employment, while manufacturing accounts for less than 7 per cent of jobs among youth. The organised private sector contributes less than 3 per cent of total employment, restricting opportunities for graduates seeking professional careers.
The pressure on government jobs remains intense. Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir government informed the Legislative Assembly that nearly 77,000 posts across various departments remain vacant and are expected to be filled in a phased manner.
Economists argue that addressing the challenge will require stronger industrial growth, greater private-sector investment and closer alignment between educational programmes and labour market needs. Without significant expansion in employment-generating sectors, the number of qualified graduates struggling to find meaningful work is likely to continue rising.
