Total Factory Sector Employment in Kerala and India



Observations:

  1. Dominant Sectors in Kerala:
    • Food Products and Beverages is the largest employment sector in Kerala, employing 102,306 individuals, significantly contributing to the state's economy.
    • Rubber and Plastics Products (29,428) and Chemical Products and Pharmaceuticals (26,621) also have substantial employment numbers.
  2. Comparative Scale:
    • Kerala's factory sector employment is relatively small compared to India's total. For instance, the Food Products and Beverages sector in India employs over 1.5 million, indicating a significant scale difference.
  3. Textiles and Garments:
    • Textiles (22,045) and Garments (14,147) sectors are vital for both Kerala and India, but Kerala's employment in these sectors is only a fraction of India's totals, highlighting a potential area for growth.
  4. Low Employment in High Capital Sectors:
    • Sectors like Motor Vehicles (529) and Machinery and Equipment (3,704) show very low employment in Kerala compared to their respective Indian totals, suggesting a focus on labor-intensive industries rather than capital-intensive ones.
  5. Niche Sectors:
    • Sectors like Wood and Wood Products (9,636) and Paper and Paper Products (4,378) contribute modestly to employment, indicating specialized local industries.
  6. Employment Disparities:
    • There are stark employment disparities in certain sectors. For example, Repair and Installation of Machinery employs only 3,094 in Kerala versus 23,614 in India, showing that Kerala may be less focused on these types of industrial services.
  7. Emerging Trends:
    • The Electronic, Computer, and Optical Products sector in Kerala employs 9,918, reflecting a growing technological sector, although still limited compared to the overall employment figures in India.

Conclusion:

Kerala's factory sector shows strengths in traditional and labor-intensive industries, especially food and rubber products. However, the overall employment figures are dwarfed by national numbers, indicating potential for diversification and growth in higher-capital sectors. Addressing this disparity could enhance economic resilience and create more job opportunities within the state.