New Delhi: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) added 19.94 lakh members in July, the highest monthly number since payroll data began in April 2018. As far as net new members are concerned, the number is 10.52 lakh, which is 2.66 percent more than June and 2.43 percent more than the same period last year.

Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the surge in new membership can be attributed to rising employment opportunities, growing awareness about employee benefits and successful outreach programmes of the EPFO.

About 14.65 lakh members who had exited the EPFO ​​rejoined the organisation in July. This figure shows a growth of 15.25 percent year-on-year. 8.77 lakh members joining in July are in the age group of 18-25 years. About 6.25 lakh people in the age group of 18-25 years are working for the first time or are new members. About 59.4 percent of the new members are in the age group of 18-25 years.

About 3.05 lakh new women members joined the EPFO ​​in July, marking a year-on-year growth of 10.94 per cent. Overall, 4.41 lakh net women members were added, marking the highest number of women in a month since payroll tracking began. There has been an increase of 14.41 per cent in women members as compared to July 2023.

According to the Ministry of Labor, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Gujarat account for 59.27 percent of the total new members. Maharashtra had the highest number of new members and its contribution was 20.21 percent of the total new members added.

According to the data, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Gujarat accounted for 59.27 per cent of the total net member additions. Maharashtra led the states/union territories, contributing 20.21 per cent of the total new members.