Indian job market growth in non-metro cities

LinkedIn's "Cities on the Rise 2026" reports indicate a significant shift in the Indian employment landscape, with non-metro cities emerging as major drivers of hiring and economic growth. This trend is attributed to expanding technology, pharmaceutical, and financial services sectors, alongside improving infrastructure and lower operating costs.

Visakhapatnam is identified as the leading non-metro city for job market momentum, followed by cities such as Ludhiana, Surat, and Vadodara. The reports note that these emerging hubs are diversifying their economies; for example, Visakhapatnam is integrating its manufacturing and pharmaceutical bases with new investments in AI and data centers.

Simultaneously, the reports highlight broader challenges in the Indian job market, noting that a high percentage of professionals are actively seeking new roles amidst increased competition and AI-related skill gaps. The research also identifies major companies sought after by job seekers for growth and work-life balance, including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Google India.