Bengaluru Tops Global Cities in AI Talent, Ranks Among 12 Tech Powerhouses, and Surpasses 1 Million IT Professionals: CBRE Report
Bengaluru: Cementing its status as India’s tech capital, Bengaluru has been named one of the top 12 global technology powerhouses in CBRE’s Global Tech Talent Guidebook 2025. The city not only boasts over 1 million IT professionals—the highest in the Asia-Pacific region—but also ranks number one globally in terms of the supply of AI professionals.
The CBRE report, which evaluated 115 global markets on the basis of availability, quality, and cost of tech talent, placed Bengaluru alongside global tech giants such as San Francisco Bay Area, New York Metro, Boston, London, Paris, Singapore, and Tokyo in the “Powerhouse” category. These 12 cities represent large, deep, and competitive talent pools that are shaping the future of the global tech industry.
Bengaluru Tops Global AI Talent Rankings
Bengaluru has emerged as the leading global city for AI professionals, with:
- 94,000 AI professionals
- 5,200 AI-related job postings
- 5.5% job postings as a share of professionals
Other Indian cities also featured prominently in the top global rankings:
- Delhi – 4th globally, with 40,000 professionals, 1,300 job postings, and a 3.3% share
- Hyderabad – 5th globally, with 37,000 professionals, 2,000 postings, and a 5.4% share
- Mumbai – 9th globally, with 24,000 professionals, 1,100 postings, and a 4.6% share
- Chennai – 10th globally, with 24,000 professionals, 1,100 postings, and a 4.6% share
- Pune – 12th globally, with 21,000 professionals, 1,000 postings, and a 4.8% share
This dominance reflects India’s growing strength in AI talent and digital capabilities, with Bengaluru firmly positioned at the top.
Strategic Digital Leadership
“Bengaluru’s emergence as a global tech powerhouse reflects India’s strategic depth in digital innovation, AI, and tech talent readiness,” said Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE.
He added, “What’s even more promising is the parallel growth story unfolding in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur—each city uniquely contributing to India’s diversified and resilient tech ecosystem.”
Strong Demographic and Institutional Backing
Bengaluru also ranks 4th among the 12 tech powerhouses in terms of working-age population, with 75.5% of its residents falling in this bracket. Between 2019 and 2024, the city recorded a 2.4% growth in working-age population, one of the highest globally.
The city’s growth is supported by:
- 28 unicorns
- Favourable business regulations
- Premier educational institutions
- A large number of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) enabling high-value functions in AI, data science, product engineering, and software development.
Booming VC Activity
Bengaluru has also become a magnet for venture capital. In 2024, it secured:
- 140 VC deals worth $3.3 billion, including 34 focused on AI
Other key Indian cities also saw impressive VC activity:
- Delhi-NCR: 183 deals worth $1.9 billion, with 42 in AI
- Mumbai: 167 deals worth $4.9 billion, with 26 in AI
Between 2018 and 2023, Bengaluru experienced a 12% rise in tech employment, reflecting the city’s growing demand and capacity for cutting-edge technology roles.
Future Outlook
CBRE’s report highlights that the global distribution of tech talent is increasingly shaped by multiple factors—labour market trends, quality of life, educational output, capital access, and real estate affordability. Bengaluru ticks all these boxes, making it a sustainable and attractive long-term destination for tech investment and innovation.
Conclusion
Bengaluru’s ascent as both a top global tech hub and the leading global city for AI professionals is a landmark achievement for India’s digital economy. With its unmatched talent pool, strong institutional backing, and vibrant startup ecosystem, Bengaluru is not just keeping pace with global tech giants—it’s defining the future of innovation. As Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and other Indian cities rise alongside it, India’s collective digital footprint on the world stage is stronger than ever.
