The global movement of highly skilled professionals fell 8.5 per cent in 2025, according to a Boston Consulting Group report released this week. The study, published internationally, tracks how reduced mobility influences employers, workers and countries competing for Global AI and STEM talent.
What changed in global AI and STEM talent
The report stated that cross-border career moves declined by about 220,000 compared with the previous year. The slowdown aligned with tighter migration rules in countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom. BCG said geopolitical pressure and economic caution also shaped the drop in movement.
India recorded gains during the shift. Its global AI talent share rose 1.9 percentage points, while STEM talent rose 1.4 percentage points. The analysis placed India among the top ten sources for AI and STEM talent.
Impact on workers and destination markets
Talent hubs changed as mobility slowed. The United States registered a 2.4 percentage-point increase in highly skilled inflows and a 3.3 percentage-point gain in STEM talent. The UAE also recorded higher arrivals. It attracted nearly 178,000 highly skilled professionals in 2025 and ranked within the top three destinations for AI, STEM and specialised roles.
India strengthened its supply of AI and STEM talent through its universities. Seven of the top 10 institutions producing AI graduates were based in India. Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University led in outbound AI graduates across five major markets.
Data behind the shifts
BCG stated that India benefited from a large educated workforce engaged in AI and STEM fields. The report added that countries with flexible migration pathways saw stronger inflows despite global pressure. It cited changing patterns in how companies hire and how professionals choose their next location.
The decline in mobility marked the first drop since 2020. BCG said countries with restrictive entry routes experienced sharper falls in skilled arrivals. Markets that kept procedures open received a larger share of Global AI and STEM talent.
Outlook
BCG noted that global competition for highly skilled workers continues as countries adjust their policies. The report’s findings indicate that shifts in mobility, education strength and hiring systems will shape how Global AI and STEM talent moves within existing frameworks.
