By Reuters
BENGALURU: The Indian government鈥檚 unemployment data is inaccurate and masks the severity of joblessness and underemployment, according to a Reuters poll of independent economists, several of whom said the true jobless rate is around twice the official figure.
India is the world鈥檚 fastest-growing major economy at an annual rate of 7.4% in the January-March quarter, but so far growth has failed to create enough well-paying jobs for the millions of young people entering the workforce each year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi鈥檚 government is now more than one year into a third term after losing a commanding majority, partly blamed on discontent among youth over their future prospects.
Over 70% of independent economists polled over the last month, 37 of 50, said the official unemployment rate, at 5.6% in June, is inaccurate.
In a Reuters survey last year most economists flagged chronic joblessness as the government鈥檚 biggest challenge.
Experts say outdated definitions of what constitutes a job in a countr