The government announced a significant rise in the total number of unincorporated non-agricultural establishments, climbing from 7.34 crore to 7.92 crore, marking a healthy 7.97% growth. Notably, the ‘Other Services’ sector saw a robust 10.29% expansion, with the manufacturing and trade sectors also showing increases of 6.48% and 6.18%, respectively. These findings were part of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) for the period of January 2025 to December 2025.
The unincorporated non-agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the Indian economy by creating substantial employment opportunities, supporting livelihoods, and making a significant contribution to the GDP alongside the organized sector. During the reference period of January 2025 to December 2025, this sector provided employment to approximately 12.81 crore workers, adding over 74.52 lakh jobs compared to the previous period, indicating a strong labor market expansion.
A substantial portion of the workforce, more than one-third, was employed in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra. Female workers constituted around 29% of the total workforce in this sector, with nearly 22% engaged in apparel manufacturing. Moreover, over 60% of establishments in the manufacturing sector were led by female proprietors, showcasing a growing presence of women in both the workforce and entrepreneurship within the unincorporated sector.
