World sees an increasing number of Indians as its primary migrant population
The Indian diaspora, now numbering over 18.5 million individuals, has become the largest emigrant population globally, accounting for 6% of all international migrants worldwide[1]. This significant expansion and geographical shift in the Indian diaspora have been influenced by changing global economic landscapes and immigration policies.
Most of the data for estimating international migrant numbers, including that of the Indian diaspora, comes from the population censuses of destination countries, along with population registers and surveys[2].
Historically, Indian emigrants were more heavily concentrated in the Middle East and neighboring countries due to labor migration. However, recent decades have seen a significant increase in migration to Western countries, especially the US and Canada, fueled by demand for skilled professionals and educational opportunities.
In 2024, the UAE and the USA each hosted 17% of over 18.5 million people of Indian origin living overseas, making them the top destinations for Indian emigrants[1]. The Indian diaspora in the US alone now numbers approximately 5.4 million, prompting India to expand consular services extensively across multiple US cities in 2025[3].
In Canada, Indians are the largest migrant group[1]. In the UAE, Indians now make up nearly 40% of all immigrants[1]. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the UAE, still host nearly half of all Indian out-migrants.
The share of Indian out-migrants among global out-migrants increased from 4% to 6% between 1990 and 2024[1]. In 1990, Saudi Arabia had the highest number of Indian-born migrants, apart from Pakistan. By 2024, the UAE and the USA had taken over as the top destinations for Indian emigrants.
One-quarter of Indian out-migrants live in North America in 2024[1]. Migration patterns by gender show that women are more likely to move to the USA, while men primarily migrate to GCC countries[1].
This evolution mirrors India's growing global economic integration and the diaspora's role in international education, business, and technology sectors. Over time, the diaspora has shifted from predominantly labor migrants in Gulf countries (especially Saudi Arabia) to a diverse diaspora including students, skilled workers, and entrepreneurs in North America, Europe, and Australia, with continued, but relatively smaller, flows to Southeast Asia and traditional destinations[1][4].
Estimates for India's emigrant population are taken from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)[2]. Pakistan is home to 1.6 million Indian-born individuals, making up nearly 9% of all Indians living abroad in 2024[2]. In 2024, over one-quarter of Indian migrant women lived in the USA[2].
[1] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). (2024). International Migration Report 2024. New York: United Nations. [2] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). (n.d.). Migration Data Portal. Retrieved from https://migrationdataportal.org/ [3] Office of the Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. (2025, January 1). Expansion of Consular Services in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.mea.gov.in/ [4] World Bank. (n.d.). India Migration Report. Retrieved from https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/27212
In the context of global migration trends, the Indian diaspora, which comprises approximately 5.4 million individuals in the United States alone, has significantly influenced the politics and general news, particularly in discussions regarding immigration policies and economic opportunities [1, 3]. With the UAE and the USA each hosting around 17% of over 18.5 million people of Indian origin living overseas, these countries are key destinations for Indian emigrants, as highlighted in the 2024 International Migration Report by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) [1].
