Nature and Structure of Rural Youth Employment in Punjab

Abstract

This paper investigates the nature and structure of youth employment in rural Punjab. It is based on primary data collected through a survey of 550 rural youth respondents from three districts of Punjab. The study examines the employment status of rural youth by education level, age group, and geographical area. Youth respondents aged 15–29 years were selected using random sampling. The paper attempts to identify the nature of employment among rural youth, who are classified into three broad categories: salaried employees, casual workers, and self-employed workers. Percentage analysis is used to examine the distribution of employed youth across various activities such as agriculture, regular salaried jobs, casual work, and self-employment. The study also discusses the major problems faced by rural youth workers. The findings help identify gaps between educational attainment and employment outcomes, thereby informing policy interventions aimed at enhancing decent work opportunities for young people in rural areas. Moreover, the study’s primary data–based approach adds robustness to existing discussions on rural labor market dynamics and youth workforce participation.