Hiring activity in India was flat in December 2021 when compared to December 2020, according to the latest Naukri JobSpeak Index.

Across sectors, hiring remained buoyant amid the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.

The software & information technology (IT) sector continued to grow, up 8% year-on-year, while the real estate sector also grew 8%, hospitality grew 22%, retail was up 20% and education grew 12%. Other sectors that grew included BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) (3%) and advertising (18%).

Other sectors such as insurance (-19%), BPO (business process outsourcing) (-14%), and FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) (-12%) saw a decline in hiring activity in December this year over the same period last year.

By experience, hiring for new applicants and young professionals was steady in December 2021 over last year. Demand saw a decline for professionals in the 8-12 years at (-4%) and 13-16 years (-9%).

Among the metro cities, Hyderabad recorded 12% year-on-year growth followed by Bangalore (+11%), Mumbai (+8%), Pune (+4%), and Chennai (+6). Delhi was flat and Kolkata declined 3%.

Among the emerging cities, Ahmedabad (+21%) recorded the highest growth. Tier-2 cities such as Kochi (-29%), Coimbatore (-17%), Jaipur (-12%), and Chandigarh (-12%) showed a decrease in hiring activity in December 2021 compared to December 2020.