ABSTRACT
This study examines the changing employment landscape in rural Haryana, using unit-level
data from the Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) of 2017-18 and 2022-23. It provides a
comparative analysis of agricultural and non-agricultural employment patterns across
religious groups, social categories, and consumption brackets. The findings highlight a
decline in casual agricultural labour and a marginal shift towards self-employment,
particularly among higher-income and dominant social groups. Conversely, marginalized
communities remain more dependent on informal and unstable non-farm jobs. The paper
underscores the increasing diversification of income sources and the growing share of regular
wage/salary earners, reflecting broader socio-economic transformations. These trends have
significant implications for rural employment policy and targeted interventions in the state.
Keywords: Rural Employment Patterns, Agricultural and Non-Farm Sector, Social and
Religious Disparities, PLFS Data Analysis, Employment Diversification in Haryana