Whalesbook
Key Sector Growth
India's unincorporated non-agricultural sector showed strong growth in 2025, with establishment numbers climbing by about 8%. This brings the total to 7.92 crore units, a significant rise from the 7.34 crore recorded in the 2023-24 survey. These businesses, including small manufacturers, service providers, and traders, operate outside formal registration.
Employment Gains by Sector
The sector employed around 12.81 crore workers in 2025, adding over 74.52 lakh jobs since the last survey. The 'Other Services' sector was the main driver of this job creation, growing by 7.4% and adding roughly 35 lakh new positions. Manufacturing establishments increased by approximately 6.5%, and trade by over 6%.
Rising Productivity and Pay
Worker compensation rose by 3.88% in 2025, with the trade sector seeing the largest increase in pay per worker, up about 8.5%. Labor productivity, measured as Gross Value Added (GVA) per worker, climbed 4.54% to over ₹1.56 lakh from around ₹1.5 lakh. GVA per establishment also improved, reaching approximately ₹2.53 lakh from ₹2.46 lakh.
Women in Entrepreneurship
The survey also recorded a slight rise in female ownership of proprietary establishments, from 26.2% to 27%. This signals a gradual increase of women in business ownership within this sector. The MoSPI survey, based on data from over 6.7 lakh establishments, underscores the important role these small businesses play in India's economy.