Agartala: The finalized tables of the Sixth Economic Census reveal that Tripura’s commercial landscape provides a livelihood to 404,024 individuals, with retail trade serving as the single largest non-agricultural employer by absorbing 110,542 workers. Tabulated systematically by central and state field functionaries, the report underscores the micro-scale nature of local commerce, in which fewer than 2% of all units employ 8 or more persons.
According to the extensive data, the state houses a total of 236,773 operational establishments. Mapped across different sectors, the rural landscape supports 145,295 units, while urban centers account for 91,478 entities. In terms of employment distribution, rural sectors anchor 233,436 workers, whereas urban establishments absorb 170,588 individuals.
Meanwhile, manufacturing stands out as another crucial branch of local production, utilizing 37,047 establishments and extending employment to 66,007 persons state-wide. Traditional artisan activities also remain robust, with 10,925 handicraft and handloom units providing a livelihood to 18,200 local workers.
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Moreover, the census details highlight that proprietary setups heavily dictate the ownership matrix, as private proprietary units constitute 86.8 percent of all recorded entities. Government or public sector undertakings hold a 7.1 percent share, followed by non-profit institutions at 2.7 percent.
However, small scaling remains an enduring feature of the local market. Only 2,804 units across the state employ a workforce of eight or more individuals. These larger establishments encompass 66,166 workers, which represents 16.4 percent of the state’s complete worker base.
In terms of funding, self-finance serves as the primary capital column, independently backing 192,803 units. Conversely, formal borrowing channels have a smaller footprint, with loans from financial institutions supporting only 3,473 establishments.
Government sources provide financial assistance to 23,235 units. Finally, the operational nature remains overwhelmingly perennial, with 229,390 units running consistently throughout the year, ensuring long-term commercial stability across Tripura.
