MoSPI's New Statistical Initiative Aims to Transform City-Level Data

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has unveiled plans to develop city-level statistical reports for 47 cities with populations exceeding one million. This initiative aims to fill crucial data gaps and is expected to bolster evidence-based urban policy making across India.

According to an official release, the reports will utilize data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), ensuring statistically sound city-level data amid rapid urbanization.

The project proposes two major annual thematic reports: one detailing employment statistics like Labour Force Participation Rate and Unemployment Rate, and another exploring the informal sector's dynamics. This initiative is hailed as a key milestone for aligning India's statistical measures with fast-paced urban growth realities.

MoSPI stresses that the initiative will enhance urban statistical accessibility, support city-level policy, aid GDP estimation, and deepen insights into urban labor and enterprise trends. The ministry has opened the consultation process, inviting public commentary on the proposed framework via its website. Annual reports will be publicly accessible in user-friendly formats.