Registrations in Kerala employment exchanges decline by 10.59 lakh in 5 years

Alappuzha: The number of people registered with employment exchanges in Kerala has fallen sharply, declining by 10.59 lakh over the past 5 years. Reluctance to register and the growing availability of other employment opportunities are cited as the main reasons.

According to data from March 2020, 34,18,072 unemployed people were registered with employment exchanges across the state. By June 2026, the number had fallen to 23,58,194.

The younger generation does not attach much importance to employment exchange registration and is also reluctant to renew their registration every 3 years. The availability of employment opportunities, including private sector, is another reason for the decline, said B.R. Shyamkumar, Nilambur Employment Officer.

The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation had earlier reported a decline in Kerala's unemployment rate. The unemployment rate in Kerala was 7.2 per cent in 2023-24 and fell to 4.3 per cent in 2025, according to the report.

A change is also evident among those with professional degrees, particularly engineering graduates. In 2020, 45,913 unemployed engineering graduates were registered with employment exchanges. The number has now fallen to 29,766.

There has been only a slight decline in the number of doctors waiting for employment. The figure stood at 8,753 in 2020 and is now 8,333.

Among unemployed doctors currently registered, 2,714 are allopathic doctors, 3,402 are Ayurvedic doctors and 1,787 are homoeopathic doctors.