People Engaged in Employment in Rural Areas
Reliable estimates of employment and unemployment are obtained through quinquennial labour force surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Office. Last such survey was conducted during 2009-10. As per the two most recent surveys, total estimated persons engaged in employment in rural areas was 342.9 million in 2004-05 and 336.4 million in 2009-10.
During 2004-05 the number of male and female workers employed in rural areas was 218.9 million and 124.0 million respectively. During 2009-10, 231.9 million male workers and 104.5 million female workers were employed in rural areas.
The Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge gave this information in reply to a written question in Rajya Sabha today.
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