A recent report from Azim Premji University indicates a critical situation regarding graduate unemployment in India, with nearly 40% of individuals aged 15 to 25 currently unemployed. This alarming statistic underscores a persistent issue that has plagued the nation for decades, as graduate unemployment has remained between 35% and 40% for many years.

The report highlights that the unemployment rate for those aged 25 to 29 stands at approximately 20%. In 2023, it was reported that 1.1 crore out of 6.3 crore graduates aged 20 to 29 were without jobs, reflecting a significant gap between educational attainment and available employment opportunities.

India has a substantial youth population, with 36.7 crore individuals aged between 15 and 29, constituting about one-third of the working-age populace. The median age in India is currently 28, indicating a youthful demographic that is increasingly facing challenges in securing employment.

Rosa Abraham, a prominent figure in the report, stated, “We are not overproducing graduates, we are underproducing good jobs.” This sentiment resonates with the findings, which reveal a widening disconnect between educational enrolment and job creation.