EPFO (The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation) Hits a High Note: 14.58 Lakh New Members Join the Workforce Wave in March!

Image Source: Informal Newz

The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) recorded a robust addition of 14.58 lakh net members in March 2025, marking a 1.15% year-on-year increase and signaling strong job market momentum and growing social security awareness across India.

Key Highlights:

Youth-Led Growth: Of the 7.54 lakh new subscribers enrolled in March, nearly 59% were aged 18–25, underscoring a surge of young, first-time job seekers entering the organized workforce. This age group saw a 4.73% year-on-year rise and a 4.21% increase from February, with net payroll additions for this segment reaching 6.68 lakh.
Rejoining Members: Around 13.23 lakh individuals who had previously exited the EPFO rejoined in March, reflecting a 12.17% annual increase. These members chose to transfer their provident fund balances rather than withdraw, demonstrating a shift toward long-term financial planning and continued social security coverage.
Women’s Participation: Female workforce participation continued its upward trend, with 2.08 lakh new female subscribers joining in March—a 4.18% increase year-on-year. Net female additions reached 2.92 lakh, up 0.78% from last year, highlighting progress toward a more inclusive workforce.
Industry and State Trends: The top five states, led by Maharashtra, contributed nearly 60% of net payroll additions. Sectors like restaurants, cement, insurance, and expert services (including manpower suppliers and security) showed notable growth.
Employment Outlook: The Ministry of Labour and Employment attributes this positive trend to expanding job opportunities, effective outreach, and increasing awareness of employee benefits.