Kerala Sees Surge in Skilled Professionals Returning from Abroad: LinkedIn Report

Kerala is witnessing a surge in skilled professionals returning from abroad, particularly from the Gulf region. Over 9,800 professionals have returned to Kerala from the UAE over the last five years, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UK, Qatar, and the US. The returnees are primarily seeking opportunities in IT, healthcare, tourism, and education, while many are also returning to start businesses. Stable employment, proximity to family, and a better work-life balance are cited as key reasons for the trend.

Kerala has seen a significant influx of skilled professionals returning from abroad, particularly from the Gulf region, over the past five years. According to a recent LinkedIn Talent Insights report, over 9,800 professionals have returned to Kerala from the UAE alone, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UK, Qatar, and the US [1]. These returnees are primarily seeking opportunities in IT, healthcare, tourism, and education, with many also returning to start businesses. Factors such as stable employment, proximity to family, and a better work-life balance are cited as key reasons for this trend.

The report highlights a 172 per cent growth in Kerala's professional talent pool over the past five years, placing the state ninth among Indian states [1]. This growth is driven by a significant inflow of skilled professionals returning from abroad, particularly from the Gulf region, with about 52 per cent of Kerala's global returnees coming from the UAE [1]. The most common roles among professionals include software engineers, accountants, and teachers, reflecting technology, finance, and education as the backbone of Kerala's economy [1].

The Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC) has noted that the state's talent pool aligns with India's top hiring sectors, including IT services, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing [1]. Additionally, Kerala has untapped potential in biotechnology, automation, and advanced analytics. The report also projects that 39 per cent of core job skills may change or become obsolete by 2030, underscoring the urgency of reskilling efforts [1].

Gender representation is another positive highlight, with women constituting 37 per cent of the workforce, above the national average of 30 per cent [1]. Mid- to senior-level professionals form the largest group, indicating maturity and readiness for global competitiveness. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Finance Minister K N Balagopal have emphasized the state's aim to transform into a knowledge-based, innovative society, promoting digital literacy and inclusive progress [1].

The collaboration between the Kerala government and LinkedIn on skill development is expected to support the state in advancing its mission to prepare a skilled and competitive workforce [1]. K M Abraham, Executive Vice Chairman of K-DISC, called the report a significant step in aligning Kerala's youth with the needs of the modern workforce [1]. The report provides data-driven insights into the state's talent pool and will help higher education institutions become more responsive to the evolving job market [1].

References:
[1] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/kerala-s-professional-talent-pool-grows-172-in-five-years-report-125082901358_1.html