Kerala’s professional talent pool surges 172% in five years, says report presented at Skill Kerala Global Summit

A new LinkedIn Talent Insights report released on Friday highlights a 172% growth in Kerala’s professional talent pool over the past five years, the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), an advisory body to the State government, said.

The findings were presented at the Skill Kerala Global Summit in Kochi.

According to K-DISC, this growth places Kerala ninth among Indian states, with nearly 40% of its workforce concentrated in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.

“The most common roles among professionals include software engineers, accountants, and teachers, reflecting technology, finance, and education as the backbone of Kerala’s economy,” the advisory body said in a statement.

The report highlights a significant inflow of skilled professionals returning from abroad, particularly from the Gulf region.

“About 52% 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,” K-DISC said.

Participation in digital and professional training has doubled over the past two years, with emerging skills such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, and financial planning gaining prominence.

The report also projects that 39% of core job skills may change or become obsolete by 2030, highlighting the urgency of reskilling efforts.