Employees in India may see double-digit salary growth this year: Report

Employees in India are likely to see a double-digit salary growth in 2019, but inflation may play a dampener capping the hike at 5 per cent, a report said Thursday.

According to global consulting firm Korn Ferry, as a result of rapid economic growth, India continues to enjoy the highest overall salary increases and real-wage growth in Asia.

Salaries in India are expected to increase 10 per cent in 2019 as compared to 9 per cent last year and inflation-adjusted real-wage hikes are likely to rise to 5 per cent from 4.7 per cent in 2018.

"Consequent to rapid economic growth, India continues to enjoy the highest overall salary increases and real-wage growth in Asia," said Navnit Singh, Chairman & Regional Managing Director, Korn Ferry India.

Singh further said companies should take a broader perspective to define their business strategy and cost drivers in view of increasing automation, use of new technology and the rising demand for skilled workers.

"Compensation programmes need to be regularly reviewed to make sure they align with the changing business and market conditions," he said.

The Korn Ferry 2019 Global Salary Forecast, which predicts real-wage salaries across the world, is based on Korn Ferry's pay database which contains data for more than 20 million job holders in 25,000 organisations across more than 110 countries.

In Asia, salaries are forecast to increase by 5.6 per cent, up from 5.4 per cent last year. Inflation-adjusted real-wage increases are expected to be 2.6 per cent, the highest globally, but down from 2.8 per cent last year.

Among other countries in Asia, China's real-wage forecast for 2019 stood at 3.2 per cent, Japan (0.1 per cent), Vietnam (4.8 per cent ), Singapore (3 per cent), Indonesia (3.7 per cent).

According to the Korn Ferry forecast, employees in Eastern Europe are set to see an average salary increase of 6.6 per cent in 2019. After taking inflation into account, real wages are forecast to rise 2.0 per cent. In the UK, real wages are expected to increase by just 0.6 per cent.

"With inflation rising in most parts of the world, we're seeing a cut in real-wage increases across the globe," Korn Ferry Global Head of Rewards and Benefits Solutions Bob Wesselkamper said.