Kerala’s youth dividend will be wasted if ambition continues to flow only toward government jobs, migration, or fragile gig work. Idea six of the youth vision for 2047 places young people at the center of a new manufacturing and enterprise economy rooted inside Kerala itself. This is not about reviving old factories or slogans, but about building youth-led production corridors where skills, capital, infrastructure, and markets converge. By 2047, Kerala’s youth should be known not only as employees and professionals, but as builders of firms, products, and industrial value.
Kerala today has nearly 8.5 million people in the 18–35 age group. Of these, less than 15 percent are engaged in manufacturing or production-linked activities, while over 60 percent aspire toward services or government employment. Vision 2047 must rebalance this skew. The target should be to raise youth participation in manufacturing, processing, and deep enterprise to at least 30 percent by 2047. This would mean creating roughly 2 million youth-linked production jobs across sectors such as food processing, electronics assembly, medical devices, green materials, marine products, construction technology, and precision components.
The foundation of this vision is the creation of youth manufacturing corridors across Kerala. Instead of one or two large industrial parks, the state should develop 20 to 25 medium-scale production corridors aligned with district strengths. Each corridor should host 200 to 300 small and mid-sized units, employ 15,000 to 25,000 people directly, and be linked to logistics, testing labs, skill centers, and housing. By 2047, these corridors together should generate annual output exceeding ₹5 lakh crore and directly employ over 5 million people, with youth forming the majority.
Skill development must be radically redesigned to serve this goal. Kerala currently trains over 5 lakh youth annually through ITIs, polytechnics, and short-term programs, but placement-to-training alignment remains weak. Vision 2047 must mandate that at least 70 percent of publicly funded technical training be tied directly to local production demand. Every manufacturing corridor should have at least two advanced skill institutions delivering industry-linked certifications. Youth completing these programs should achieve an average starting income of ₹25,000 per month by 2035, rising to ₹45,000 by 2047.
Youth entrepreneurship must move from rhetoric to scale. Today, less than 5 percent of Kerala youth attempt enterprise creation, and fewer than 1 percent sustain businesses beyond five years. Vision 2047 should aim to create 5 lakh youth-owned manufacturing and production-linked enterprises over 25 years. This requires a dedicated Youth Enterprise Capital Mission that provides low-interest loans, credit guarantees, and equity support. Annual disbursement of ₹20,000 crore toward youth enterprises, even with a conservative success rate, can transform the state’s industrial landscape. By 2047, youth-owned firms should contribute at least 25 percent of Kerala’s industrial output.
Infrastructure is a decisive factor. Manufacturing cannot thrive on unreliable power, poor last-mile logistics, or regulatory uncertainty. Vision 2047 must ensure that all youth enterprise zones receive uninterrupted power, high-quality roads, water security, and digital connectivity. The target should be zero power outages for industrial feeders, logistics turnaround times reduced by 40 percent, and approval timelines compressed to under 30 days. For youth, predictability is as important as opportunity.
Financial inclusion for young entrepreneurs must go beyond bank accounts. Less than 10 percent of Kerala youth have access to formal credit for enterprise. Vision 2047 must ensure that at least 60 percent of youth in production sectors have access to working capital, insurance, and risk coverage. Cluster-level cooperative finance institutions, backed by state guarantees, can reduce default risk while encouraging responsible entrepreneurship. Youth should not fear failure as a life-ending event, but see enterprise as a legitimate career path.
Social dignity associated with manufacturing must be rebuilt. Kerala’s cultural preference for white-collar work has pushed many capable youth away from production roles. Vision 2047 must consciously reframe manufacturing as skilled, respected, and aspirational work. Wage benchmarks should ensure that trained production workers earn at least 1.3 times the state’s median income. Career progression ladders must be visible, allowing a shop-floor worker to become a supervisor, manager, or business owner within a decade. When youth see dignity and growth, participation will follow.
Special attention must be given to youth from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, coastal communities, and economically weaker backgrounds. At least 40 percent of jobs and enterprise support in youth manufacturing corridors should be reserved for these groups. This is not charity, but economic rationality, as inclusion expands the talent pool and stabilizes communities. By 2047, intergenerational occupational mobility should be clearly measurable in these groups, with youth transitioning into ownership and leadership roles.
Women’s participation is critical. Manufacturing in Kerala currently employs fewer than 20 percent women. Vision 2047 should target at least 40 percent female participation in youth-led production sectors through safe workplaces, flexible shifts, childcare support, and women-focused enterprise funding. This alone could add over ₹1.5 lakh crore annually to Kerala’s economy by 2047 while transforming household incomes.
Technology adoption must be embedded from the start. Youth manufacturing corridors should prioritize automation, data-driven production, quality certification, and export readiness. By 2047, at least 50 percent of youth-led manufacturing units should be export-capable, collectively generating $50 billion in annual exports. Kerala’s educated youth are well-positioned to handle precision, compliance, and global standards if the ecosystem supports them.
Ultimately, this vision is about anchoring youth ambition within Kerala. If by 2047 a young person in Kannur, Alappuzha, or Idukki can realistically aspire to build a factory, run a production firm, or lead an industrial unit without migrating or depending on political patronage, Kerala will have achieved something historic. Youth-led manufacturing corridors are not just an economic strategy; they are a statement that Kerala trusts its youth to build, own, and shape the future.
