Unemployment: The Decisive Issue Driving Bihar’s 2025 Elections
As Bihar heads into the 2025 Assembly Elections, one issue towers above all others — unemployment. While caste alignments and political alliances still shape electoral outcomes, it’s the absence of jobs and sustainable livelihoods that has captured the public imagination this year.
Across cities, small towns, and rural hinterlands, a common refrain echoes: “Rozgaar chahiye, sirf vaade nahi.” (We need jobs, not promises.)
With nearly 7.5 crore registered voters, of which more than 50% are below the age of 35, the Bihar electorate is young, restless, and increasingly impatient. For this generation, the demand for employment has become a test of governance credibility — and possibly the defining factor in this election.
The Economic Backdrop
Bihar’s economy has grown consistently over the past decade, registering around 8% GDP growth in FY 2024–25, marginally above the national average. Yet, per capita income remains among the lowest in India — roughly ₹55,000 per annum, less than half of the national figure.
Despite industrial incentives and skill development programs, unemployment and underemployment remain pervasive. The labour force participation rate in Bihar hovers around 43%, compared to India’s overall average of about 56%.
Among the youth aged 18 to 30, the unemployment rate is estimated between 10–12%, with the situation particularly grim in urban centres such as Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Gaya.
The real challenge lies in underemployment — educated youth working in informal or low-wage jobs far below their qualifications, or migrating to other states for survival.
Voices from Bihar’s Youth
On the ground, the frustration is palpable. In Patna’s bustling Maurya Lok campus area, 23-year-old Abhinav Kumar, a postgraduate student, shared his reality:
“After studying for years, I don’t want to go to Delhi or Surat just to work in a shop or as a delivery boy. I want a job here in Bihar — something that matches my education. Every government talks about jobs, but we only get exams and cancellations.”
In Gaya, Pooja Kumari, a 21-year-old nursing student, expressed another dimension:
“My brothers are working in Punjab and Gujarat. I want to work here and take care of my parents. But even hospitals here don’t have enough vacancies. Government job forms open once in two years, and most are cancelled midway.”
In rural Sitamarhi, Ravi Paswan, a diploma holder in electrical engineering, summed up the mood of many first-time voters:
“We don’t care which party wins; we just want work. Our generation is tired of waiting.”
These voices reflect a growing shift in Bihar’s political discourse — from caste and identity to economic empowerment and self-reliance.
Migration: The Silent Outcome of Job Scarcity
Migration has become almost a rite of passage for Bihar’s youth. Nearly 70 lakh people from Bihar are estimated to be working in other states. The migration story cuts across caste and class lines — from daily wage earners in Surat’s textile factories to educated graduates in Delhi’s gig economy.
For many families, the absence of local jobs has led to a unique social structure — women-headed rural households supported by remittances.
Economists describe Bihar as a “supplier state” of labour to India’s urban economy — a pattern that drains talent and productivity from within.
This exodus has now evolved into a political narrative. Every major party is being questioned: why can’t Bihar create enough jobs for its own people?
Political Stakes: How Parties are Responding
NDA’s Position
The ruling alliance has been highlighting its welfare schemes, road infrastructure, and women’s development programs. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has publicly announced a target of one crore jobs and self-employment opportunities in the next five years through MSME expansion, tourism, and rural entrepreneurship.
However, critics argue that implementation remains slow, and job quality remains low.
Mahagathbandhan’s Push
Led by Tejashwi Yadav, the opposition bloc is banking on an anti-incumbency wave around the job crisis. Tejashwi has promised a comprehensive employment guarantee for educated youth and direct recruitment in public departments. His campaign slogan “Rozgaar Yatra” is resonating in university towns and small cities.
New Entrants and Independent Voices
Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj movement and smaller regional outfits are tapping into youth disillusionment, positioning themselves as the “clean slate” alternatives. Their focus is on entrepreneurship and skill-based local employment rather than big government jobs alone.
Why This Election Is Different
The Bihar voter of 2025 is far more connected, digitally aware, and aspirational than before.
Social media has amplified unemployment stories — exam leaks, delayed recruitments, and stories of young engineers driving e-rickshaws have gone viral, shaping public anger and empathy alike.
Unlike earlier elections where caste loyalties dominated, many voters now articulate economic frustration as a political identity. This subtle shift may not completely erase traditional voting patterns, but it is certainly redefining them.
Women Voters and the Employment Link
An under-reported but powerful trend is the rise of women voters, who now outnumber men in Bihar’s electoral rolls.
For many, the issue of jobs is personal — their husbands and sons migrate for work, leaving women to manage households alone.
Women’s self-help groups, micro-finance networks, and rural employment schemes have emerged as silent influencers in this election. The party perceived as most committed to stable local livelihoods may gain from this demographic.
MSME Growth as a Solution Path
Experts point out that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) hold the key to reversing migration.
With proper credit access, local industrial clusters, and skill training, Bihar could generate lakhs of decentralized jobs.
Districts like Nalanda, Bhagalpur, and Purnea are already witnessing small-scale entrepreneurship in food processing, handicrafts, and renewable energy. However, policy continuity and faster infrastructure delivery remain crucial.
Bottom Line
Unemployment is no longer a background concern — it’s the main battlefield of Bihar’s 2025 elections.
The young electorate, forming the backbone of the state’s population, is no longer content with symbolic politics. They are demanding tangible pathways to dignity and stability through work.
Whichever alliance wins, one truth is undeniable: Bihar’s political future now depends on how effectively it can transform youth energy into employment and migration into opportunity.
The real victory will not be in the Assembly numbers, but in the number of new jobs created in the years to come.
