Which category of workers forms a larger share of the workforce in urban areas than in rural areas?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Regular salaried employees
Towns and cities have factories, shops and offices, and urban enterprises need workers on a regular basis. So regular salaried jobs form a larger share of work in urban areas.
Option (1) Regular salaried employees — Correct. Regular work is greater in towns.
Option (2) Casual wage labourers — Incorrect. Casual work is more common in rural areas, on others’ farms.
Option (3) Self-employed — Incorrect. The self-employed are found more in rural areas, where most families own and cultivate their land.
Option (4) Casual wage labourers and self-employed — Incorrect. Both these groups have a larger share in rural India.
NCERT (2026-27): “6.4 Self-employed and Hired Workers … When we compare the distribution of workforce in rural and urban areas in Chart 6.2 you will notice that the self-employed are found more in rural areas than in urban areas. In the latter, both self-employment and regular wage salaried jobs are greater. In rural areas, since majority of those depending on farming own plots of land and cultivate independently, the share of self-employed is greater. The nature of work in urban areas is different. Obviously everyone cannot run factories, shops and offices of various types. Moreover enterprises in urban areas require workers on a regular basis.” |