PwC Flags Gift City’s Talent Challenges Amid Efforts To Become Global Finance Hub

Gift City, India's pioneering greenfield finance hub in Gujarat, is grappling with significant human resource challenges, reveals a comprehensive PwC India report released in September 2025. Despite its strategic advantages, the hub faces hurdles in talent retention and attraction, primarily due to high attrition rates, salary gaps, and relocation difficulties.

 

Key Insights From The PwC Report

Attrition rates among Global Capability Centres (GCCs) within Gift City have surged between 30% and 40%, notably higher than the 10% to 20% range seen in major metropolitan cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru.

 

Salaries in Gift City are reportedly 10% to 15% lower than those in established urban centers, creating a competitive disadvantage in attracting experienced professionals.

 

A significant 63% of senior executives expressed reluctance to relocate to Gift City, citing limited personal and professional networks, while younger professionals and recent graduates showed more willingness to move.

 

Broader Talent Ecosystem Challenges

Gift City is competing against leading financial hubs such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi/NCR, Singapore, and Dubai, all benefiting from greater global recognition and expansive client networks.

 

Infrastructure gaps, including housing, transportation, connectivity, recreational facilities, and access to international schools and healthcare, exacerbate relocation concerns.

 

Work-life balance amenities like gyms and family-oriented services are identified as critical areas needing enhancement to boost the city’s allure.

 

Potential And Path Forward

Despite these challenges, nearly half of senior executives foresee Gift City’s strong potential as a premier hub for banking, financial services, insurance, FinTech, TechFin, and GCC operations.

 

Strategically enhancing salary structures, ecosystem maturity, and quality of life facilities could propel Gift City to rival established global finance centers.

 

PwC recommends a concerted focus on talent development, infrastructure advancement, and global marketing to unlock Gift City's full promise.

 

Source: The Hindu Businessline, PwC India Report, Economic Times