Formal Job Creation Rises: EPFO Posts Highest Payroll Gains Since 2018 — All You Need to Know

Outlook Business Desk

Record Job Additions

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) recorded its highest-ever monthly net formal job addition in June 2025 with 21.89 lakh members. This represents an all-time record since payroll tracking began in April 2018, marking a 9.14% rise from May and a 13.46% jump year-on-year.

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June Beats May

According to The Economic Times, the record addition in June followed May’s milestone, when the EPFO added 20.06 lakh net jobs. That was then the highest on record, but June has now surpassed it, reflecting momentum in formal sector hiring, particularly youth-focused first-time employment opportunities.

New Subscriber Uptick

In June 2025, 10.62 lakh new subscribers joined EPFO, up 12.68% from May and 3.61% compared to June 2024. This increase is linked to rising job creation, stronger awareness of EPF benefits, and successful outreach campaigns driving enrolments.

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Youth Lead the Charge

Young workers dominated June’s enrolments. About 60.2% of new members, nearly 6.39 lakh, were aged 18–25. Net payroll additions in this age bracket reached 9.72 lakh, showing a monthly rise of 11.4%.

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Re-Joining Members Surge

EPFO also saw significant re-joining activity. Around 16.93 lakh members re-entered after previously exiting, highlighting job mobility and preference for fund transfers over settlement. This represents a 5.09% month-on-month rise and a 19.6% year-on-year increase, ensuring continuity of long-term retirement savings.

Women Participation Rising

Women enrolments in EPFO showed positive momentum. June saw 3.02 lakh new female subscribers, a 14.9% rise from May, while net female additions stood at 4.72 lakh.

Regional Leaders Growth

Eight states and union territories accounted for 61.5% of June’s payroll additions. Maharashtra led with 20.03%, followed by Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana, each contributing over 5%.

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May Trends

May 2025 also marked growth with 20.06 lakh net jobs added. It included 9.42 lakh new subscribers and nearly 16.1 lakh members re-joining. Youth and women led the momentum, showing that June’s record was part of a continuing employment expansion.

Social Security Strength

EPFO’s consistent rise in subscribers reflects increased awareness of provident fund benefits, proactive outreach and stronger social security confidence. More employees are choosing transfers over withdrawals.

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