The state needs to adopt a multi-pronged approach to tackle rising unemployment
In India, graduate employment has not kept pace with the surge in degree holders, leading to rising unemployment and slower income growth, according to a report by Azim Premji University.
Nearly 40% of young graduates are unable to secure employment, according to the latest ‘State of Working India 2026’ report. It found that only about 7% of graduates find permanent salaried employment within a year of reporting themselves as unemployed.
Overall, India has made substantial progress in expanding access to higher education, ensuring a movement out of agriculture into industry and services, and reducing gender and caste-based disparities, according to the report. However, challenges remain. The school-to-work transition is uncertain and, for many, does not lead to stable and remunerative employment. Young people are entering a labour market that is challenging. This is not a positive trend, and the situation is not different in Goa. Denials notwithstanding, Goa’s unemployment is almost double the national average. Thousands pass out from technical and non-technical colleges every year, but employment potential is limited. Many youths in engineering, IT and other sectors work outside the state. Even when they get jobs locally, the salary is low compared to what is paid outside the state for similar work.
On the positive side, gender equality is emerging in the job market. Changing sectoral pathways are evident in Goa too, as more women are joining what were, earlier, male-dominated sectors. Encouraging this trend, the government has allowed women to work night shifts in certain sectors. The mindset of women taking up jobs has changed significantly, and the traditionally minded older generation is accepting this transformation. Many women, including from Goa, are working in casinos, something that would have been considered taboo a decade ago.
Thousands of educated Goans are working outside the state or abroad as they cannot find jobs commensurate with their educational qualifications here. Many have gone seeking greener pastures. Some have given up Indian citizenship and moved abroad, mainly to secure their children’s future. They send remittances back home, boosting foreign exchange but resulting in a loss for Goa. More people seek government jobs because there is no job security for new recruits in the private sector. The unemployment situation is such that many states, including Goa, are facing the impact of industries employing migrant labour instead of locals. This may increase social tensions, something already being felt in the state. There must be political will to address this. It is also seen that some politicians prefer a non-Goan workforce to build their vote bank.
On the employment front, the state government has introduced several schemes and is providing on-the-job training through apprenticeships, a step in the right direction. This is also because the mismatch between qualifications and industry requirements is significant. There is still considerable scope for self-employment, as the government provides substantial loans for prospective entrepreneurs. However, awareness remains low. The government needs to involve voluntary organisations and the student community to reach villages and hold camps led by government officers to explain the schemes available to the unemployed.
The growing use of AI across sectors is a major concern globally in the employment sector. The extent of its impact on jobs remains to be seen. The global situation indicates the need to diversify and move beyond tourism in the state. The Goa government needs to adopt a multi-pronged approach to create new employment opportunities.
