The first-ever QS World Future Skills Index, which was published on January 16, 2025, identified India as one of the world’s best-prepared labor markets for future in-demand skills. The index uses four main indicators—Skills Fit, Academic Readiness, Future of Work, and Economic Transformation—to assess more than 190 nations’ ability to adapt to the changing needs of the global labor market.
When these factors are taken into account, India comes in at number 25 in the world, demonstrating its capacity to give its workforce skills that are ready for the future.
With a score of 99.1, the nation ranks second globally, just behind the United States, and shines especially in the Future of Work area.
A number of variables contribute to India’s impressive performance:
Young people and a thriving startup ecosystem encourage innovation in digital, artificial intelligence, and green technology.
There is a strong integration of AI skills into the workforce, as seen by the large majority of businesses (59%) actively implementing these technologies.
Notwithstanding these advantages, the research identifies important areas that require improvement:
the necessity of improving the congruence between industrial demands and higher education.
development of abilities in innovation and sustainability, where India performed less than other countries.
According to the QS analysis, India’s economic development trajectory, which is anticipated to average 6.5% per year between 2025 and 2030, puts it in a favorable position when compared to other aging economies around the world. But in order to maintain this growth, higher education reforms and greater industry-academia cooperation are desperately needed.
Even while India is making great progress in preparing its labor force for the needs of the future, filling up the current gaps in education and sustainable practices will be essential to maximizing its potential in a global labor market that is changing quickly.