Educated young people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are entering adulthood with degrees, debt, and limited job opportunities. According to Beyond Time News, many are losing their most productive earning years due to unemployment and low wages.
Unemployment Rates Remain High
Official Periodic Labour Force Survey data, cited in the Indian Parliament, shows unemployment in IIOJK at 6.1% in 2023–24. This rate is almost double the national average of 3.2%.
Urban women face even greater challenges. The data shows female unemployment in cities at 27.2%, placing young women among the most affected groups.
Degrees Without Financial Stability
Many graduates say education has not delivered the financial security they expected.
Fatima, a young graduate, said her salary barely covers transport and mobile expenses. She also noted that her family remains in debt due to education costs. “People told us education changes everything. Sometimes it feels like the future never came,” she said.
Similarly, Ali, the first graduate in his family, spent years moving between temporary jobs and recruitment drives. He said financial stability has remained out of reach, delaying major life decisions such as marriage and savings.
Low Wages and Competitive Pressure
Thousands of candidates apply for a small number of government jobs. Meanwhile, private schools and coaching centers often pay graduates between INR 5,000 and INR 10,000 per month.
As a result, many young people struggle to build financial independence during their early working years.
Experts Warn of Long-Term Impact
Financial experts say delayed employment reduces lifetime earnings and savings potential.
A Srinagar-based adviser explained that early income plays a major role in long-term financial growth. He said missing early earning years can significantly weaken financial stability.
For example, consistent early savings can grow substantially over time through investment returns. However, low salaries and delayed employment prevent many youth from benefiting from this growth.
Education Costs Add Pressure
According to economic data cited in reports, education loans in India reached about INR 1.19 lakh crore in 2023–24.
Families in Kashmir often sell assets or take loans to fund education. Despite this investment, graduates frequently struggle to find well-paying jobs.
Career counselors say many students focus on degree prestige rather than job prospects or income potential.
Read more:Kashmiri Mothers Still Await Missing Sons as Pain Persists on Mother’s Day
Women Face Greater Barriers
Young women face additional challenges in the job market. Some report low wages and limited opportunities, while others avoid discussing earnings due to social pressure.
Shift Toward Alternative Paths
Due to limited opportunities, some youth now turn to freelancing, skill-based training, or migration for work.
Ali summed up the frustration shared by many graduates, saying they studied to start life early but still feel stuck waiting for opportunity.
Outlook
According to Beyond Time News, experts describe the situation as a generational crisis. Families invest heavily in education, but many graduates enter adulthood without financial stability, delaying independence and long-term security.
