Employment promotion in South Asia

See more photos in ILO Flickr photo library.
India has the largest youth population in the world, meaning that youth unemployment and underemployment are critical challenges. In 2011-12, the youth unemployment rate stood at 10.7 per cent, but reached 18.8 per cent for urban women aged 20-24.
Job creation and inclusive growth are therefore critical priorities, both in India and across the region. The Government of India has placed considerable emphasis on improving employment, skills development, and services for jobseekers, such as the National Career Service.
In line with India’s Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2013-17, the ILO provides technical assistance to support the development and implementation of policies and programmes linked to employment and employment creation, particularly in rural areas. This work includes support for the Government’s Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme (MGNREGS).
Linked to the DWCP, the ILO also undertakes policy-oriented research on employment issues. This includes research into female labour force participation, wage trends, and manufacturing as a driver of job creation and inclusive growth.
The ILO provides technical advisory services on employment promotion in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. This includes support for the creation and implementation of employment policies, policy-oriented research and capacity building.
To promote research on employment issues in South Asia, the ILO supports the South Asia Network on Employment and Social Protection for Inclusive Growth (SARNET).