Over 50% young women out of education, employment: NSS report

NEW DELHI: In the age bracket of 15-29 years, 51.7% of females are not in any education, employment or training. Among males, this figure is a much lower 15.4%, shows the recently-released Multiple Indicator Survey in India report based on the 78th National Sample Survey conducted by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MOSPI).

In rural areas, 25.6% respondents in the 15-35 years age bracket were in some form of education or training; in urban areas, 29.6% were engaged in formal or non-formal education or training. The survey was conducted in January 2020 and August 2021, among 2,76,409 households, 1,64,529 rural and 1,11,880 urban.

The survey has defined formal education at school, colleges, universities, technical, professional and vocational courses offered by schools, colleges, universities or other institutions. Non-formal education is acquired through adult education centres (AEC), total literacy campaigns (TLC) and similar programmes.

NSSO Data: Formal education

The NSSO data shows that 47.9% of people in the age bracket of 15-24 years, highest amongst all the age brackets, were engaged in formal and non-formal education when the survey was conducted. More urban respondents were engaged in formal and non-formal training than their rural counterparts.

The table given below shows details of percentages of people engaged in formal and non-formal education and training.

Engaged in education (%)

The 78th round of NSS also highlights that fewer women are engaged in education and training across states. 44.5% of women in the age of 15-24 years are engaged in formal and non-formal education and training, whereas among men, 51% are so engaged.

In the age-bracket of 15-35, 29.2% of men and 24.3% of women are engaged in education and training.

The table given below shows % of male and female population engaged in education.

Males, females engaged in education and training (%)

Excluded from education

The survey also shows that 30.2% of 15-24 year-olds in rural areas and about 27% of that population in urban areas were reported to be “not in education, employment or training” (NEET) as on date of survey till August 15, 2021. This implies declining participation in secondary education (Class 9 and beyond) and higher education.

Within the age bracket of 15-29 years, the size of this ‘NEET’ group only rose – 33% in rural and 32.6% in urban areas were found to be not in education, employment or training.

Not in education, employment or training (%)

The survey shows that 43.8% of the female and 16.1% of the male population in the age bracket of 15-24 years were reported to be not in any education, employment and training.

Not in education, employment or training (%)