India helps LinkedIn cross 500-mn member milestone

Professional networking platform LinkedIn has crossed the 500-million mark globally, helped by strong addition in user base from markets like India.
With a base of over 42 million members and a growth of more than 40 per cent in the last two years, India is the second largest market for LinkedIn after the US.
LinkedIn has members from across 200 countries and territories.
"Contributing over 35.5 per cent to the APAC community of more than 118 million members, India retains the first spot within the region. China follows second with a member base of over 31 million, while Australia comes in third with more than 8 million members," LinkedIn said in a statement.

Within India, Gurugram ranks highest as India's most connected city with an average member having 319 connections.
Bengaluru and Mumbai members had 200 and 176.24 average connections respectively, during the analysed period.
'Staffing and Recruiting' industry has the most number of average connections, followed by 'Venture Capital and Private Equity' and 'Human Resources' coming in at a close third.
"India is the largest member base outside the US and continues to be among the fastest growing communities. We are confident that this positive trajectory will be aided by the roll out of LinkedIn Lite to all members in India today," LinkedIn India Country Manager Akshay Kothari said.