White-Collar Hiring Sees 9% Surge in December, Driven by AI/ML Growth

White-collar hiring activity in December witnessed a 9% increase compared to the same period of the previous year, driven by high-skill and strategic roles, a report said on Thursday.

According to Naukri JobSpeak, the index reached an impressive 2,651 points in December 2024, reflecting a robust 9% year-on-year growth, a promising sign for the year ahead.

Key sectors that were primary growth drivers in December 2024, included AI/ML (36%), Oil and Gas (13%), FMCG (12%) and Healthcare (12%), said the report.

Top metro cities collectively posted a 10% growth as the year came to an end, it added.

The Naukri JobSpeak is a monthly Index representing the Indian job market and hiring activity based on new job listings and job-related searches by recruiters on the resume database of Naukri.com.

Meanwhile, according to the report, fresher hiring, which had majorly been muted through 2024, saw an impressive 6% growth in December 2024, driven by creative, lifestyle and retail sectors like design (39%), beauty and wellness (26%) and consumer durables (19%), respectively.

The FMCG sector achieved an 18% growth in fresher hiring during December 2024, marking the highest monthly increase for the sector in fresher recruitment throughout the year, it added.

The creative industry showed an interesting technical tilt in December as video editors and interior designers were among the top roles hired, reflecting a balanced demand for visual storytelling and spatial innovation, it stated.

The architecture and interior design industry stood out with a 39% growth in fresher hiring, contributing to the design sector's impressive 51% growth overall, it added.

The report also revealed that following the strong hiring trends highlighted in October, South India continued its robust performance into December 2024, reinforcing its position as a key driver of white-collar employment.

While Chennai (35%) and Bangalore (21%) sustained their impressive growth, Coimbatore emerged as a standout, with fresher hiring growing by 14%, fueled by a 52% surge in foreign MNC hiring.

Hyderabad also posted 15% growth, reflecting the region's sustained appeal for high-skill and fresher roles across sectors like IT, Consumer Durables, and Real Estate.

"India's job market is entering 2025 with vigour, driven by AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence/ Machine Learning) growth and creative sectors. The surge in fresher hiring and evolving C-suite roles shows we're transforming into a more dynamic landscape. Traditional sectors like FMCG are embracing this evolution, combining fresh talent with strategic expertise," Naukri.com Chief Business Officer Pawan Goyal added.