Kerala's jobs challenge: Which sectors can create employment?

At the India Today Conclave – South 2026, KM Chandrasekhar, Vice-Chairperson of the Kerala State Planning Board, said Kerala needs to look beyond traditional industries and focus on emerging sectors to tackle its high unemployment rate. Chandrasekhar said Kerala's unemployment rate was 29.8%, compared with 12.5% nationally, and the state wants to halve it over the next five years. “Our goal would be to halve that rate within the next five years,” he said. He identified medical devices, artificial intelligence, space, aviation, high-value tourism, sports and the creative economy as sectors with employment potential. Kerala's medical devices industry already has around 110 units, while startups and small industries have also expanded, he said. The state has also introduced the SERAL scheme and the Invest Kerala single-window approach to make it easier for businesses to start operations. “We are trying to solve this problem in the best possible manner,” Chandrasekhar said. He added that reducing unemployment and creating a stronger economy would require time, investment and a joint effort involving different parts of Kerala's economy.