India’s urban job landscape is witnessing a striking transformation as women’s participation in the workforce accelerates, fuelling new demand patterns in accommodation and entrepreneurship. According to data from Justdial, searches for hostels for working women rose 93 per cent across the country between January and July 2025 compared with the same period last year, reflecting stronger economic mobility and return-to-office trends.
The highest surge in searches was seen in Pune (178 per cent), followed by Bangalore (168 per cent), Ernakulam (109 per cent), Mumbai (89 per cent), Delhi (89 per cent), and Hyderabad (46 per cent). Justdial said the data highlights how expanding employment opportunities and rising urban migration among women are reshaping India’s residential demand landscape, with safety, connectivity, and affordability emerging as top priorities for working professionals.
Searches for hostels for working men also climbed 13 per cent Pan-India, pointing to steady relocation activity across major business hubs. Broader searches for hostels for women increased 61 per cent nationwide, led by Delhi (77 per cent), Pune (62 per cent), and Ernakulam (58 per cent). Meanwhile, hostels for men recorded a sharper 97 per cent rise, fuelled by spikes in Pune (180 per cent), Delhi (161 per cent), and Bangalore (130 per cent).
Beyond accommodation, the trend reflects a broader shift in women’s economic participation. Justdial reported an 8 per cent year-on-year increase in women-led business listings as of July 2025, indicating a steady rise in women entrepreneurship and self-employment across sectors.
“The sustained surge in searches for women’s hostels underscores how employment-linked migration is changing India’s urban fabric,” a Justdial spokesperson said. “As more women join or return to the workforce, cities are adapting to offer safer, flexible, and community-driven living options that match modern work lifestyles.”
The report suggests that the intersection of mobility, opportunity, and digital access is driving a new phase in women’s urban empowerment. As companies across technology, finance, education, and manufacturing push hybrid and in-office work models, India’s women professionals are increasingly on the move — seeking spaces that support both career and independence.
The growing demand for women’s hostels and the parallel rise in women-led ventures illustrate how India’s cities are gradually evolving into more inclusive, economically active ecosystems, where women are both contributors to and beneficiaries of urban growth. |
