Bridging Urban Data Gaps: NSO's City-Level Statistical Reports Initiative

The National Statistics Office (NSO), operating under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), is proposing the creation of detailed statistical reports for 47 of India's 'million-plus' cities. This initiative aims to address critical data shortages and enhance informed decision-making across various levels of governance.

These city-level reports will leverage data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), both of which already provide reliable city-level estimations. Despite the accelerating urbanization and economic contribution of these cities, there is a lack of comprehensive city-level statistics, which limits evidence-based urban policy development and planning, as noted in an official statement.

Two distinct annual thematic reports are planned. One will focus on employment profiles, detailing key labor market indicators like the labor force participation rate and unemployment rate. The other will analyze the profile of unincorporated sector enterprises, examining the urban informal sector's scale, structure, and economic performance. These reports aim to enrich urban statistics availability, support policy formulation, contribute to GDP estimation, and deepen the understanding of urban labor markets and enterprises. Public-domain dissemination using accessible formats is planned, with stakeholder feedback invited on the proposal, due by May 15, 2026.