12 out of every 100 youths in Bihar are unemployed; 57% of schools lack even basic computer facilities.

According to data from the recently released Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2025, the unemployment rate among educated youth aged 15 to 29 in Bihar stands at 12.1%.

Youth in Bihar face significant challenges regarding employment and their future after completing their education. While many struggle to find jobs despite holding traditional academic degrees, the lack of basic educational infrastructure further exacerbates the crisis. As per the PLFS 2025 data, the unemployment rate for educated youth (aged 15–29) in Bihar is 12.1%. This means that more than 12 out of every 100 young people are searching for employment but are unable to secure a job.

This situation persists even as interest in government jobs remains extremely high among the state's youth, with hundreds of thousands of candidates applying for a limited number of positions. Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Education’s UDISE 2025-26 data, approximately 57% of schools in the state lack even basic computer facilities—a fact that raises serious concerns about how well-prepared students are for the digital age.

Overall Unemployment Rate in Bihar: 12.1%

According to the PLFS 2025 data, the overall unemployment rate among youth in Bihar is 12.1%—breaking down to 9.8% in rural areas and 31.3% in urban areas. Experts believe that a primary cause of this unemployment is the reliance on traditional academic degrees, which often leave students without modern technical skills or the knowledge required to work with computers. Furthermore, Bihar’s labour force participation rate—at 34.3%—is significantly lower than the national average of 46%. This indicates that a large number of young people are not even entering the labour force.

A Severe Lack of Computer Facilities in Schools

In today’s digital era, proficiency in computers and the internet has become essential for everything from submitting online applications to engaging in data analytics and digital marketing. However, UDISE 2025-26 data reveals that out of 95,285 schools in Bihar, only 40,960 are equipped with computers. In other words, computers are available in just about 43% of schools, while 57% lack such facilities entirely. Even in schools that do have computers, students often face challenges such as a lack of sufficient practical training time and limited access to the internet.

The Intense Craze for Government Jobs and the Pressure of the BPSC

For most young people in Bihar, "employment" is still synonymous with a government job. Driven by a desire for stability and security, millions of youths dedicate themselves to preparing for competitive examinations. The massive turnout for the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) examinations serves as evidence of this. For instance, approximately 4.8 lakh candidates appeared for 802 vacancies in the 67th BPSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE). Similarly, the 68th BPSC CCE saw 2.6 lakh applications for 324 positions, while about 1.9 lakh students participated in the 69th BPSC CCE for 475 posts. The 70th CCE attracted 3.3 lakh candidates for 2,035 positions, and the recent 71st CCE saw approximately 3.2 lakh candidates vying for 1,298 posts. This level of competition highlights that, despite an increase in the number of vacant government positions, the number of job seekers far exceeds them—making it all the more crucial to explore alternative employment opportunities within the broader job market.

Status of Skill Training and Apprenticeship

The number of youths in Bihar participating in the government’s National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme—aimed at equipping them with skills—increased from 5,502 in 2024–25 to 9,013 in 2025–26. However, merely enrolling in training or an apprenticeship does not guarantee a secure job. NITI Aayog’s August 2026 report, *Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047*, emphasizes that skill training should not be limited to the mere issuance of certificates; rather, it should be aligned with the demands of local industries, as well as with employment and earning opportunities.