Unemployment rate for persons of age 15 years and above in urban areas rose to 9.3 per cent in January-March 2021 from 9.1 per cent in the same month of the previous year, showed a periodic labour force survey by the National Statistical Office (NSO). Joblessness or unemployment rate (UR) is defined as the percentage of unemployed persons in the labour force. The UR for in CWS (current weekly status) in urban areas for persons of age 15 years and above was 10.3 per cent in October-December 2020, the 10th Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) showed. It also showed that unemployment rate among females in urban areas (age 15 and above) rose to 11.8 per cent in January-March 2021 from 10.6 per cent a year ago. It was 13.1 per cent in October-December 2020. Among males, the UR in urban area (age 15 years and above) remained flat at 8.6 per cent in January-March 2021 compared to a year ago. It was 9.5 per cent in October-December 2020. Labour force participation rate in CWS (current weekly status) in urban areas for persons of 15 years of age and above was 47.5 per cent in January-March quarter of 2021, down from 48.1 per cent in the same period a year ago. It was 47.3 per cent in October-December 2020.