By Hafiz Rahat Usama 
Latest Labour Survey Reveals Rising Joblessness Trends
Pakistan’s unemployment rate is projected to climb to 7% during the current fiscal year 2024-25, marking a significant increase from 6.3% recorded in 2020-21, according to official sources cited by The News. The findings emerged from the latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), though the official release of complete data is expected next week.
Concerns Raised Over Survey Methodology and Data Accuracy
The PBS presented preliminary LFS 2024-25 results during the recent DataFest conference, where experts questioned aspects of the data collection methodology, particularly regarding employment statistics from the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). The survey has adopted updated International Labour Organization (ILO) standards based on the 19th International Conference of Labour Statisticians definition, aiming to improve accuracy in measuring employment and workforce participation.
Persistent Challenges in Pakistan’s Labor Market
The previous 2020-21 LFS revealed structural weaknesses in Pakistan’s job market, with a stark gender disparity in employment (64.1% male vs. 19.4% female participation) and youth unemployment reaching 11.1%. While the services sector remains the largest employer, the anticipated rise in overall unemployment reflects ongoing economic challenges, including limited job creation in manufacturing and agriculture sectors.