India Emerges as Leading Exporter of Skilled Talent Globally
India's Dominance in Global Skilled Migration
According to a recent report by Deel, India has established itself as the foremost exporter of skilled professionals through various visa programs. The findings from Deel's 'Global Talent Map' indicate that the movement of international talent is increasingly influenced by the fierce competition for specialized skills rather than merely cost advantages. This analysis, which encompassed over 40,000 companies across more than 150 nations, reveals that visa holders typically earn higher salaries than local employees in similar positions, underscoring that the current global hiring landscape is shaped by skill shortages rather than wage reductions.
For instance, H-1B visa holders in the United States earn a median salary of approximately $140,000, compared to $130,000 for local citizens in equivalent roles. In the UK, skilled worker visa holders make around £96,000, while UK nationals earn about £87,000. Similarly, in the UAE, those with Golden Visas earn 605,000 dirhams, in contrast to 459,000 dirhams for standard employment visa holders.
Rakesh Gaur, Head of Sales for India at Deel, stated, 'Our data indicates a fundamental change in global hiring practices. Companies are now seeking international talent not just to cut costs but are willing to pay higher salaries to attract specialized skills that are in short supply in local labor markets. Consequently, solutions like Employer of Record (EOR) are becoming essential for organizations to tap into global talent pools efficiently and compliantly.'
The report further highlights India's leading position in various skilled visa categories, ranking as follows: it is the top source of H-1B visas in the US, second for UK Skilled Worker visas, second for EU Blue Cards, and the leading nationality for both UAE Golden Visas and standard employment visas. Notably, Indians represent 38% of the total population in the UAE.
Moreover, Deel's analysis shows a growing global demand for Indian talent, with Australia experiencing the most rapid increase in hiring Indian professionals, soaring by 724% year-over-year. The UK saw a 142% rise, while the US recorded a 139% increase in the hiring of Indian workers.