The Directorate of Economics & Statistics released a  Survey Report on 'Employment, Unemployment, Skill and Migration ' in Nagaland, 2025 on 19th  September 2025 at an official release programme at DES Conference Hall with Advisor IT&C, Economics & Statistics and Evaluation, H. Sethrongkyu Sangtam as the Special Guest.

Speaking at the programme, Sangtam said the report would help the State Government formulate effective policies to tackle unemployment. He stressed that without quality district-level data, balanced regional development and the vision of a “Viksit Nagaland” could not be achieved.

He lauded the efforts of the Department under the leadership of Secretary, Akunu S Meyase, IAS and Director, Economics & Statistics, Neidilhou Keditsu for addressing existing data gaps through initiatives like the Nagaland Sample Survey Unit established in 2024. To identify and address the challenges, as well as to leverage the prospects of each district, disaggregated data is indispensable, the Advisor said.

The Advisor acknowledged the department’s ongoing contributions in producing district-level data such as District Domestic Product (2022) and District Consumer Price Index (2023), which are already being used in policy formulation. He also highlighted other significant reports published annually by the Department, including the Nagaland Statistical Handbook, Price Indices, National Sample Survey, Village Level Per Capita Income, Disaster Statistics, Gender Statistics, Civil Registration, Nagaland Economic Survey and the Indices of Industrial Production.

On the issue of unemployment, Sangtam noted that 71,034 applicants were registered with employment exchanges in the state as of March 31, 2025. He reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the problem, recalling that the matter was deliberated in the recent session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and highlighted in the Chief Minister’s address.

Calling the survey report the first of its kind under the Nagaland Sample Survey Unit, he said it would serve as a critical basis for framing labour policies and harnessing the state’s demographic dividend. He added that district-wise socio-economic data in the report would help address unique challenges in each district while strengthening policy implementation.

Sangtam urged policymakers, researchers, administrators and other stakeholders to utilize the report, expressing confidence that it would enrich public discourse on employment and inform both official and public opinion. He further appealed to officials of the Department of Economics and Statistics to continue enhancing technical capabilities to provide timely and quality data for good governance.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Advisor called on citizens and officials alike to work collectively towards making Nagaland a developed state when the nation celebrates its centenary of independence.

Together with sincere and dedicated efforts by the state government and by the people of the state, we can achieve the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047, he said, extending appreciation to the Department for the publication and urging continued diligence and professionalism in their work.

Director Economics & Statistics Neidilhou Keditsu, presented the key findings of the survey report. The survey covered the entire state of Nagaland. District-wise reports were prepared for eleven districts with available population data, while newly created districts Shamator, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Tseminyu and Meluri could not be included. However, it was noted that household samples from such districts were merged within the existing districts.

Secretary Economics & Statistics, Akunu S Meyase, IAS also speaking at the programme acknowledged the collective effort and dedication of the staff of the department concerned in successfully completing the survey and compiling the data in a scientific manner. She said that the report would prove to be invaluable in use, crucial and timely for the policy makers to base their decisions in bringing development to the people of the State.

The survey reported that the average household size in Nagaland is four members, with household sizes ranging from one to eleven. The average monthly household expenditure was estimated at Rs.16,522, with the lowest at Rs.1,133 and the highest at Rs.3,61,647. The average age of people in the working-age group stood at 34 years.

On education, residents had an average of 11 years of formal schooling, with a minimum of one year and a maximum of 22 years. About 16 percent of respondents studied up to graduation, 4 percent were postgraduates and above, while 2 percent were illiterate. The findings also revealed that 92 percent of residents did not have any technical education or vocational/technical training.

The labour force participation rate in Nagaland was recorded at 56 percent. The employment rate was estimated at 83.92 percent, while the unemployment rate stood at 16.07 percent. At the district level, Wokha had the highest labour force participation rate with 75 percent, while Tuensang registered the lowest at 41 percentage. Mon district recorded the highest employment rate at 91.08 percent, while Phek reported the lowest at 75 percent. In contrast, Phek registered the highest unemployment rate at 25 percent, while Mon had the lowest at 8.92 percent.

The survey further found that 56 percent of respondents were self-employed. Salaried employees accounted for 16 percent in the public sector and 13 percent in the private sector. A large share of respondents, 88 percent, were ineligible for social security benefits. Similarly, 88 percent of those engaged in principal economic activity did not pursue any subsidiary activity.

Among the unemployed, 49 percent reported having submitted job applications or visited employers as part of their job search. More than half, at 55 percent, had remained unemployed for more than three years. In addition, 78 percent of unemployed respondents had no prior work experience. The absence of employment opportunities was identified as the main reason for unemployment by 58 percent of respondents.

On migration, the survey revealed that 55 percent of migrant respondents had moved from rural to urban settlements. A majority of 81 percent had resided in their present settlements for more than five years. The proportion of migrants who relocated for employment in the public sector was 27 percent. Before migration, 80 percent of migrant respondents earned Rs.10,000 or less at their place of origin. In their present settlements, 33 percent reported earnings between Rs.10,000 and Rs.20,000.

The survey also found that 63 percent of migrants owned immovable property in their present settlements, while 36 percent reported being happy in their current place of residence. 

 

(Morotsung Longchar, IA)