New Delhi: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) registered 9.79 lakh new subscribers in July 2025, reflecting stronger job creation, growing awareness of social security benefits, and effective outreach initiatives, according to a statement from the labour ministry.

On a year-on-year basis, net payroll additions rose 5.55% compared with July 2024, underscoring both improved employment prospects and heightened participation in the formal workforce.

The 18–25 age group accounted for 5.98 lakh new enrolments, representing 61.06% of fresh subscribers in July.

Net payroll addition within this segment touched 9.13 lakh, a 4.09% increase from the previous year, highlighting that most entrants are young, first-time job seekers.

Re-joining members also formed a significant share of EPFO’s growth. Around 16.43 lakh individuals who had exited earlier returned in July 2025, a 12.12% jump year-on-year.

These members shifted jobs and chose to transfer their savings instead of opting for final settlement, thereby maintaining long-term financial security.

Female participation also showed steady progress.

EPFO enrolled 2.80 lakh new women subscribers in July, while the net addition of female members stood at 4.42 lakh—marginally higher than the same month last year, signalling gradual movement towards a more gender-inclusive workforce.

Regionally, the top five states and Union Territories accounted for 60.85% of total net additions, contributing nearly 12.80 lakh members. Maharashtra led with 20.47% of the month’s payroll growth, while Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh each contributed more than 5%.

Industry-wise analysis showed strong additions in sectors such as iron ore mining, universities, beedi and garment manufacturing, hospitals, commercial trading, and travel agencies. Notably, 40.21% of new payroll came from expert services.

The labour ministry noted that payroll figures remain provisional, as data is updated continuously. EPFO has been releasing monthly payroll data since April 2018, tracking employment trends from September 2017 onward.