A view of the Visakhapatnam city on Tuesday, which is growing rapidly as an industrial and IT hub. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

Visakhapatnam tops LinkedIn’s ‘Cities on the Rise’ report

With Vijayawada at No. 3, Andhra Pradesh cements status as a rising talent powerhouse, say MP Sribharat

by · The Hindu

Visakhapatnam has secured the top spot in LinkedIn’s inaugural Cities on the Rise report, released on Tuesday (July 15, 2025), which highlights India’s fastest-growing non-metro cities for professional opportunities. The rankings are based on hiring trends, talent inflow, and job market expansion.

An aerial view of the One Town area of Vijayawada. | Photo Credit: K.V.S. Giri

According to the report, Visakhapatnam is emerging as a major industrial and employment hub, driven by a robust technology ecosystem and the presence of leading pharmaceutical and data companies. Key contributors to this growth include Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Miracle Software Systems Inc., and Laurus Labs Limited. The report also attributes the city’s rapid transformation to the Andhra Pradesh government’s focused infrastructure development initiatives.

Welcoming the recognition, Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat said, “This is a proud moment for every Vizagite. Being ranked No. 1 by LinkedIn validates the collective efforts of the government, industries, entrepreneurs, and our talented workforce. Visakhapatnam is evolving into a national hub for innovation, job creation, and sustainable urban development.”

He added that the rise of both Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada—ranked No. 3 in the report—reflects Andhra Pradesh’s growing prominence beyond the metros. “As we push ahead in IT, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and green industries, we are setting a benchmark for equitable urban growth in India,” he noted.

The rankings further reinforce Andhra Pradesh’s position as a rising powerhouse of talent and opportunity.