Economy Higher is better

Worker Population Ratio

Share of the population (all ages) classified as employed under the usual status (ps+ss) concept. WPR ≈ LFPR × (1 − UR).

Tamil Nadu's wpr is 49.1% % (2023-24), per National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI.

Tamil Nadu, latest

49.1%

2023-24

Last verified 2026-05-14

Change

+28.9%

2011-12 → 2023-24

Rank vs compared states

#3 of 5

TN vs MH, KA, GJ, UP · higher is better

Tamil Nadu's WPR is 49.1% (2023-24), up +28.9% since 2011-12. It ranks #3 of 5 compared states (higher is better).

Read this number carefully

Series break at 2017-18: Source switched from NSS Quinquennial EUS (68th round, 2011-12) to the continuous PLFS. Sample design and reference period definitions differ; the 2011-12 point is a one-off benchmark and should not be trend-compared to PLFS values without caveats.. Values before and after are not directly comparable.

Source Official National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI Coverage 2011-12 – 2023-24 Sources & methodology ↓

About this indicator

This is the share of the total population that is actually employed, giving a direct read on how much of the populace is engaged in productive work rather than just seeking it. Because it uses the whole population as the base, it captures the combined effect of participation and job availability in a single number. It does not distinguish job quality, so a high ratio can include large amounts of low-paid, informal, or underemployed work.

WPR · 2011-12 – 2023-24

Tamil Nadu's WPR rose from 38.1% (2011-12) to 49.1% (2023-24).

Source: National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI

Compare with Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh

1 KA Karnataka 54.7% 2023-24
2 GJ Gujarat 50.1% 2023-24
3 TN Tamil Nadu 49.1% 2023-24
4 MH Maharashtra 47.0% 2023-24
5 UP Uttar Pradesh 44.4% 2023-24

Tamil Nadu highlighted. Each row shows that state's value and the year it is from. Compare like years with care.

Where this data comes from

The provenance of every value above and how to cite it.

Source provenance

Observations come from 2 distinct sources, segmented below by period.

Click any segment to open the source publication and verify the values yourself.

Methodology & notes

PLFS Annual Report estimates, usual status (ps+ss), all ages, total (rural+urban). WPR = employed ÷ population × 100. PLFS years are July–June.

Known series breaks

2017-18: Source switched from NSS Quinquennial EUS (68th round, 2011-12) to the continuous PLFS. Sample design and reference period definitions differ; the 2011-12 point is a one-off benchmark and should not be trend-compared to PLFS values without caveats.

Alternate sources tracked