9,800 Keralite professionals return home from UAE as talent pool surges 172 pc
Record Gulf return fuels Kerala’s workforce boom; AI, finance, and education drive Kerala’s growing professional base; LinkedIn Report -- 39% of job skills in Kerala may become obsolete by 2030 as the state emerges as magnet for returning Gulf talent and domestic migrants
Kerala is witnessing a record influx of skilled professionals returning from the Gulf, led by the UAE, according to LinkedIn Talent Insights.
The findings were unveiled at the Skill Kerala Global Summit by the Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC).
In the past five years, more than 9,800 professionals returned from the UAE, followed by Saudi Arabia and the UK (over 1,600 each), Qatar (1,400), and the US (1,200).
Domestically, about 7,700 professionals relocated from Karnataka, with significant inflows also from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Haryana.
The returnees from the Gulf bring expertise in business operations, finance, and entrepreneurship, while professionals from other Indian states have boosted Kerala’s technology, product management, research, and education sectors.
Participation in digital and professional training has doubled in two years, with skills such as AI, data analysis, and financial planning emerging as top priorities.
However, the report warns that 39% of core job skills may change or become obsolete by 2030, underscoring the urgency of large-scale reskilling initiatives.
Kerala’s professional workforce has grown by 172% in five years, placing it ninth among Indian states. Nearly 40% of professionals are concentrated in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.
Key roles include software engineers, accountants, and teachers, cementing technology, finance, and education as the pillars of Kerala’s evolving economy.
Follow The Times Kuwait on X, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news updates
