Nestled in the lush hills of Northeast India, Nagaland is a state often celebrated for its cultural richness and strategic location- there lies a paradox. While government rhetoric speaks of a booming state and development agendas, such as the vision of a “Viksit Nagaland”, a growing number of young people are finding themselves without employment. The phrase “youth jobless spike” begins to sound far too familiar.
According to the latest annual survey titled Survey Report on Employment, Unemployment, Skill and Migration, Nagaland, there are 71,034 youth registered as unemployed across the state. The same report found that 92% of the respondents lacked technical or vocational training. The Periodic Labour Force Survey report shows youth unemployment as a major concern, with rates reaching 27.4% overall for those aged between 15 and 29. These figures paint a clear message: youth unemployment in Nagaland is a serious challenge, and while some figures may suggest improvement, the story for younger cohorts presents escalating joblessness.
Though Nagaland has enjoyed special status, central grants, and projects under various schemes, the growth has not translated proportionally into creating formal job opportunities for the youth. With 92% of the unemployed youth lacking technical or vocational training, there is a severe gap between job- market demands and youth preparedness. The harsh fact is that many have general academic qualifications but not the kind of “industry- ready” skills that attract employment. Many youths aim solely for government jobs, underestimating the role of private enterprise, entrepreneurship, and self- employment. The state infrastructure is also underdeveloped as compared to many other states, with a limited scale of manufacturing and few large private firms. These hinder job creation outside the public sector. For many young Naga people, the scenario is unsettling. Imagine, having completed college, maybe even a postgraduate degree, only to find that the few available jobs are either in the public sector with large odds or informal. There are many who are neither employed nor engaged in entrepreneurship, while some remain registered as job seekers for years.
Here are some practical responses that could help reverse the trend:
• Skill development and vocational training: Create training programs that align with market demand, such as digital skills and startup manufacturing basics.
• Promote private sector and entrepreneurship: Create an ecosystem where private firms feel confident investing in Nagaland, such as better infrastructure and workshops for starting micro- businesses.
• Change mindset and expectation: Youth must recognise that government employment is not the only route. College curricula, career counselling and exposure to different work models will help.
• Leverage local strength: Nagaland’s unique cultural, linguistic and ecological diversity means opportunities in tourism, organic agriculture, creative industries and crafts can be tapped.
Nagaland stands at a crossroads. With youth representing about 40% of the population with potential and the rising unemployment rate among the same category, could become a burden if not addressed. The narrative of booming Nagaland must meet the reality of its young workforce. If nothing changes, many educated young people may spend years waiting for the elusive government job while their talents remain dormant. In the end, the question is simple yet profound: Will Nagaland build job opportunities for its youth, or will its youth be left waiting for jobs?
Beyond economics, prolonged youth unemployment carries serious social consequences. When educated young people remain idle for extended periods, frustration, anxiety, and disillusionment can grow. This can lead to rising migration as many seek opportunities outside the state, resulting in a steady brain drain. Families invest heavily in education with the expectation of stable livelihoods, and unmet expectations often create psychological and financial strain. Moreover, unemployment weakens social mobility and widens inequality between those with access to networks and those without.
If productive energy is not channelled into meaningful work, the demographic advantage of a young population risks turning into a demographic liability.
Policy responses must therefore move beyond short-term schemes and address structural transformation. Data-driven planning, stronger collaboration between educational institutions and industry, and localised employment mapping can create more realistic strategies. Public–private partnerships could expand internship pipelines, apprenticeships, and incubation hubs for young entrepreneurs.
Equally important is monitoring the effectiveness of existing employment schemes to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes. Transparent governance, long-term infrastructure investment, and targeted skill certification programs can gradually bridge the mismatch between qualifications and opportunity. Without sustained and coordinated reform, unemployment will persist not as a temporary setback but as a defining challenge of Nagaland’s development trajectory.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editorial team includes Chubamenla, Asst. Professor Dept. of English and Rinsit Sareo, Asst. Manager, IT, Media & Communications. For feedback or comments please email: dot@tetsocollege.org
