‘Vizag fastest growing non-metro cities for jobs’

LinkedIn Report

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Visakhapatnam has emerged as India’s fastest-growing non-metro city for employment and talent migration, retaining the top spot in a new report released by professional networking platform LinkedIn. The report highlights the city’s rapid transformation into a diversified employment hub, driven by investments in technology, manufacturing and digital infrastructure.

According to the report, Visakhapatnam leads the list of the country’s fastest-growing non-metro cities, followed by Ludhiana, Surat, Vadodara and Prayagraj.

LinkedIn noted that cities once known primarily for traditional industries are now evolving into multi-sector economic centres. Investments in technology, financial services, manufacturing, education and infrastructure are creating new employment opportunities and attracting skilled professionals, reducing the need for workers to relocate to major metropolitan cities.

The report comes at a time when competition in the job market is intensifying. Around 72% of professionals are actively looking for new jobs this year, while 76% believe that the rise of artificial intelligence and widening skill gaps have made job hunting more challenging. Compared to early 2022, the number of applications received for each job has nearly doubled, reflecting increasing competition.

Against this backdrop, emerging non-metro cities are offering professionals diverse career opportunities closer to their hometowns.

LinkedIn Career Expert Neerajita Banerjee said job seekers should broaden their horizons beyond metro cities and focus on regions witnessing fresh investments and industrial growth.

“Traditional industries in these cities are now being complemented by technology and financial services. Professionals should identify where investments are flowing and align their skills with emerging opportunities,” she said.

The report attributed Visakhapatnam’s strong performance to its established strengths in port-led industries, pharmaceuticals and manufacturing, coupled with growing investments in artificial intelligence, data centres and technology services. These sectors are positioning the city as one of India’s most promising destinations for employment and business growth.

The report also highlighted the rapid expansion of steel and aviation industries in Ludhiana, start-ups and real estate in Surat, and technology and engineering sectors in Vadodara, underscoring the broader shift of economic activity beyond India’s traditional metropolitan centres.