In a positive development for India’s job market, Kerala’s professional talent pool has grown by 172% over the last five years, according to LinkedIn Talent Insights shared at the Skill Kerala Global Summit. The state now ranks among India’s fastest-growing talent hubs, with nearly 40% of professionals based in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.
The report noted that software engineers, accountants, and teachers are the most common roles among professionals, reflecting the strong presence of technology, finance, and education in Kerala’s economy.
It also highlighted a steady inflow of skilled professionals returning from overseas, particularly the Gulf region. Nearly 52% of Kerala’s global returnees came from the United Arab Emirates, bringing expertise in business operations, finance, and entrepreneurship.
“About 52 per cent of Kerala’s global returnees came from the UAE, bringing expertise in business operations, finance, and entrepreneurship. Regional migration, led by Karnataka, has also strengthened Kerala’s innovation and technology talent pool, with rising inflows in product management, research, and education,” the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council, an advisory body to the state government, said.
Looking ahead, the report projected that about 39% of core job skills may evolve or become obsolete by 2030, underlining the urgent need for large-scale reskilling initiatives. To meet this need, participation in digital and professional training has already doubled over the past two years, with rising demand for skills such as AI, data analysis, and financial planning.
