New Delhi: Fresh formal hirings declined by 10 percent in February 2025 for the third straight month, indicating deterioration in the formal markets, according to the data released by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).
Compared to January’s 823,000 monthly new subscriptions, only 739,000 registered in February, the EPFO said on Monday.
In February 2024, 777,000 new subscribers had joined the EPF.
This data reflects the situation of the formal workforce, which has social security and labor law protection.
It suggested that 57.7 percent (470,000) of the new subscribers in February 2025 aged between 18 and 25. Women’s share among the new subscribers increased by nearly 3 percent, which now currently stands at 28.14 percent, compared to 25.62 percent in January.
The Ministry of Labor stated that payroll data showed approximately 1.32 million exited and rejoined EPFO in February, a significant year-over-year growth of 11.9 percent compared to February 2024.
(Subham Singh)
