NITI Aayog Report Finds 8.7 Crore Indian Youth Lack Jobs, Education, or Training

A NITI Aayog report titled "Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat @2047" has highlighted a significant gap in India's workforce development, revealing that approximately 8.7 crore youth aged 15 to 29 are currently outside education, employment, or training.

Drawing from NITI Aayog's 2021 National Sample Survey, the report points to a massive segment of the young population that lacks stable jobs, formal schooling, or vocational training.

The NITI Aayog report focuses on five key groups to address these developmental gaps: school students, individuals pursuing higher education, formal and informal workers, NEET youth (not in education, employment, or training), and women across all of these segments.

According to the report, NEET youth frequently experience severe financial hardships due to the absence of a regular source of income. Many individuals in this category lack the financial resources to enroll in new courses or skill-training programs, often after having already spent heavily on their previous education.

The report also highlights a stark mismatch between qualifications and employment, revealing that only 8.25% of graduates hold jobs that match their education and credentials. This points to a severe skills-to-jobs gap in the country.

As India aims to achieve its "Viksit Bharat" vision by 2047, the report raises critical questions about whether the nation can reach this goal while leaving such a large segment of young people behind.