Formal job postings in India increase 8.9% amid global hiring slowdown

Bengaluru: While global hiring trends show signs of a slowdown, India’s formal job market is gaining strong momentum, fueled by rising demand across various sectors, according to a new report released on Friday.

Data from global job platform Indeed reveals that job postings in India increased by 8.9 per cent in May, marking a strong rebound after a temporary dip. The report notes that India’s job market remains nearly 80 per cent above pre-pandemic levels, one of the strongest performances among major economies.

This growth is largely attributed to India’s transition towards a more structured and formal economy.

“As the nation transitions, job creation across the formal sector continues to outpace overall employment growth. This consistent upward trend puts India ahead of many other global economies,” said Callam Pickering, APAC Senior Economist at Indeed.

Nearly 80 per cent of occupational categories saw an increase in job postings over the past three months. Among the sectors with the most significant growth were childcare (up 27 per cent), personal care and home health (25 per cent), education (24 per cent), and production and manufacturing (22 per cent), signaling robust demand in both social and industrial domains.

Software development remains the leading sector, accounting for nearly one in five job postings on the platform.

Another key trend highlighted in the report is the rapid rise in demand for skills related to generative AI. As of May, 1.5 per cent of all job postings in India referenced generative AI, more than double the figure from last year.

These AI-focused roles are expanding beyond the traditional tech and data sectors, with growing opportunities in scientific research, marketing, and management.

Regionally, Karnataka and Telangana have emerged as hotspots for generative AI talent, while Maharashtra continues to lead in overall job volumes.