53% companies to raise headcount in 2021

Even as India's hiring activities declined last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is a sudden increase in demand with about 53% of companies saying they are planning to increase their headcounts in 2021, according to a survey.

The pandemic adversely impacted economies across Asia-Pacific, including India, which had entered 2020 with robust hiring activities, according to professional recruitment services firm Michael Page India's 'Talent Trends 2021 Report'.

It added that the pandemic led to a dip in hiring activities by 18% in 2020.

The survey-based report, however, added that optimism is already starting to show, with about 53% of companies in India looking to increase their headcounts in 2021.

Michael Page India Managing Director Nicolas Dumoulin said, "Technology and healthcare sectors witnessed significant activity even during the lockdown phase given the sudden increase in demand for relevant talent across functions." He added that hiring activities among inter netbased businesses such as ecommerce and education technology remained relatively robust across India and is expected to maintain the momentum in 2021 as well.

According to the report, India projects an optimistic outlook for 2021, with 60% of the employers surveyed intending to increase salaries, while 55% of the companies planning to give out bonus payments and 43% of them looking to give out more than one month's worth of bonus.

The results for the report was drawn from a survey across 12 Asia-Pacific markets, including in India, among over 5,500 businesses and 21,000 employees, of which 3,500-plus are directors or CXOs.

The report further showed that the healthcare sector is expected to see the largest percentage rise in salary at an average increase of 8%, followed by fast-moving consumer goods (7.6%) and e-commerce/internet services (7.5%).