HYDERABAD: Though Telangana has a high Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), the state comes up short when it comes to active workforce participation. Almost 53% of its population is classified as ‘non-workers’, indicating that they are not engaged in any economic activity, as per the Telangana Statistical Abstract (Atlas) 2024 report.
Growth trajectory
Only 47% fall under active working population, defined as those engaged in income-generating activities for more than 183 days in a year in the report. Experts said this clearly indicated that there is need for intervention to ensure people’s participation in the workforce, including increasing the number of women.
The report classified about 1.37 crore as ‘main workers’, around 1.86 crore as ‘non-workers’ and roughly 26 lakh as ‘marginal workers’. ‘Main workers’ are persons engaged in any economically gainful activity for 183 days or more in a year, ‘non-workers’ are those who are not gainfully employed and ‘marginal workers’ imply those employed for less than 183 days in a year.
‘Need detailed analysis to grasp the situation’
Hyderabad, which is the hub of economic activity in the state, has 64% ‘non workers’. Comparatively, districts such as Jogulamba Gadwal and Mulugu have high percentage of ‘main workers’.
Krishna Reddy Chittedi, assistant professor at the School of Economics, University of Hyderabad, said even after excluding the population under 18 and over 60, a detailed age-wise analysis (not provided by the govt) is essential to fully understand the situation.
“This indicates that over time the education system has prioritised degree over skill development. Also, there is a lack of sufficient job opportunities for those seeking employment. Though these figures are not based on Census data as it is yet to be conducted, a careful study is necessary. The situation may have improved, which will be known only once the Census data is available,” he said.
