New Delhi, May 23 -- The employment rate, or the share of the working-age and youth population finding work, is falling in India. Our own study, based on an Indian government agency data, however, shows, that this is not the case. However, that is because of its definitions of what is 'work' and what is 'employment" not being internationally compliant! Work without remuneration (or unpaid family labour, UFL) is called work by ILO, but Indian government treats it as employment. Whichever way one treats it, UFL is the worst form of work.

Nations can leverage the demographic dividend offered by their population profiles to boost growth. If India has to do that, it needs to grow consistently on an average at eight percent per annum. India wa...