Youth Unemployment Soars in IIOJK, Reaches Alarming 17.4%: Official Report

As the rest of India grapples with rising joblessness, the situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir is even more dire—youth unemployment in the region now stands at a staggering 17.4%, exposing deep economic distress under New Delhi’s rule.

Srinagar: An official government report has revealed a worrying rise in youth unemployment in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where joblessness among the younger population has reached 17.4%. This figure sharply surpasses the national average of 10.2%, underscoring the growing economic crisis in the territory.

The troubling data was released as part of the Baseline Survey Report 2024–25, prepared under the Mission YUVA (Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan) program—a state-backed employment and entrepreneurship initiative aimed at addressing the widening job gap. The survey was unveiled during a formal event held at the convention centre in Srinagar and inaugurated by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

According to the findings, the unemployment crisis is especially severe among those aged 18–35, a demographic that makes up a significant portion of the region’s population. The lack of adequate job opportunities, limited industrial development, and a volatile political climate are seen as the primary causes behind this alarming trend.

The report comes at a time when intense debate is underway in the region over job reservations and employment policies. Many local youth are expressing growing frustration over what they describe as unfulfilled promises and lack of transparent hiring processes. Activists and political analysts alike have warned that the unemployment issue, if left unaddressed, could fuel further instability.

Despite being projected as a focus area of development post-2019—when the Indian government revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status—the employment situation has continued to deteriorate. Critics say that large-scale infrastructure announcements have not translated into real, sustainable employment on the ground.

“The promise of jobs was central to the post-abrogation narrative,” said a local economics professor. “But five years later, all we have are surveys showing worsening unemployment figures.”

Mission YUVA was launched with the goal of identifying and nurturing young entrepreneurs while also improving job readiness through skill development programs. However, the recent report suggests that these measures have not been sufficient to counter the region’s entrenched employment problems.

What is more concerning is that many of the educated youth, including engineering and management graduates, remain unemployed despite possessing the necessary qualifications. This has led to a growing brain drain, with young professionals migrating to other states or abroad in search of better opportunities.

Analysts also point to systemic issues, including bureaucratic delays, security concerns, and restricted private sector growth, as major barriers to job creation in IIOJK. The region’s economic potential remains largely untapped due to continued political unrest and lack of consistent policy implementation.

The report is a wake-up call for policymakers who have long touted development and integration as the benefits of direct central rule. With unemployment climbing and public discontent rising, the government now faces pressure to shift from rhetoric to meaningful action.

Unless urgent and transparent steps are taken to address the job crisis, the youth of IIOJK risk being pushed further into despair—undermining any long-term plans for stability or progress in the region.