Unemployment rate falls sharply among Christians in cities

NEW DELHI: Unemployment rate fell steeply among the Christians living in cities in the six-year period ended 2009-10, according to a government survey.

The unemployment among Christian community in cities came down from 8.6 per cent in 2004-05 to 2.9 per cent in 2009-10, which is lowest rate of joblessness among the various religious groups, including Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.

As per an NSSO study, 'Employment and Unemployment Situation Among Major Religious Groups in India' unemployment in cities has come down from 4.5 per cent in 2004-05 to 3.4 per cent in 2009-10, reflecting in improvement in job situation.

The survey further revealed that unemployment rate for the Muslim community too came down from 4.1 per cent in cities during this six years period to 3.2 per cent.

As regards Hindus, the unemployment rate in cities improved from 4.4 per cent to 3.4 per cent during the period.

However, the joblessness rose sharply among the members of the Sikh community in cities. According to the survey the unemployment rate during the six year period rose from 4.6 per cent 6.1 per cent.

In the rural areas, the survey said, there was no improvement in the overall employment situation as the unemployment rate remained flat at 1.6 per cent in the period.

Among the different religious communities, the employment rate among the Christians in villages came down from 4.4 per cent to 3.9 per cent, for Muslims from 2.3 per cent to 1.9 per cent and Sikhs from 3.5 per cent to 2.4 per cent.

As regards Hindus, the unemployment rate for them in religious has remained static at 1.5 per cent during period under review.