Localization: Your Key to Success in India

Economic Powerhouse:
India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India currently accounts for about 15% of global economic growth.

A Vital Global Market:
By 2025, India will be the world’s third-largest consumer market, with the largest middle class on the planet.

Explosive Growth:
The World Economic Forum predicts a 4x increase in consumer spending by 2030, fueled by a projected 1 billion internet users.

However, unlike other global economic leaders, India is not unified by a single, common language. Instead, it is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse places on Earth:

• 22 official languages
• 122 major languages
• 1,599 dialects
• 13 written scripts

The Misconception of English Dominance

While English is often considered the "language of business" in India, only about 10% of Indians speak fluent English today. Most Indians prefer to learn about and buy products in their native languages, whether it’s Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi, or another language. Successful marketers recognize the importance of connecting with Indian consumers in their own languages.

• Nearly 70% of consumers consider content in their own language more reliable than information in English.
• 50% of Indian brick-and-mortar consumers said they would switch to an online channel if the websites were in their native language.

What You Need to Know About Translation and Localization for India

1. Digital is King

Proliferation:
India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market. By 2025, it’s expected that nearly 1 billion Indians will own smartphones, with strong adoption in both urban and rural areas.

Convergence:
This mobile reach, combined with the e-commerce capabilities of the internet, is transforming millions of previously unreachable Indians into avid consumers, buying from platforms like Flipkart, Snapdeal, Amazon, and Paytm.

2. The Indian Consumer is Rapidly Evolving

Upward Mobility:
Incomes are rising. Around 50% of Indian households are now considered middle class, and this number is expected to reach 80% by 2030.

Millennials and Gen Z Lead the Way:
These tech-savvy generations are driving consumption. By 2030, 77% of Indians will be Millennials or Gen Z (born after 2005).

Women Are Gaining:
Women now have the legal right to be the “karta,” the head of a household in Hindi. They are making independent purchasing decisions, such as buying homes and cars, once reserved for men.

3. Linguistic Diversity is Part of India’s Heritage

Language can divide. India’s 29 states have linguistic divides, often alongside ethnic and historical differences. Even individuals who speak multiple languages may prefer to communicate and read in their mother tongue only and may take offense at those who try to impose another language on them.

4. The Future Tells Us Localization Is a Must

By 2025, there will be over 200 million Hindi-speaking internet users, far surpassing the number of fluent English speakers. Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu speakers will account for 30% of the Indian language user base.

Win in India by Establishing a Better Localization Supply Chain

Discard the Freelance Model

Freelance translators often fail to retain the vibrancy and local nuance of content in its original language. Managing freelancers yourself often presents logistical and quality control challenges.

Instead, hire a localization expert who offers:

• Years of experience in the Indian market
• A full range of localization services — including translation and transcreation — each capturing local nuances, idioms, and dialects
• Translation technologies like AI and machine translation to ensure accuracy and efficiency
• Complete scalability, ensuring the ability to scale your localization efforts as your business grows
• Technology integration with your existing platforms, ensuring a smooth workflow

If you're planning to enter the Indian market, remember: localization is not just about translation. It's about creating a culturally rich experience tailored to your audience. Adjusting your content to suit the cultural and linguistic preferences of Indian consumers will be key to your success.

◀️：How to Choose a Translation Company for Legal Translation

▶️：Globalization Top 10 Key Takeaways