Worldwide Migration Shows Indians as Top Emigrant Population
In the current global landscape, India stands out as the country with the largest emigrant population, surpassing 18.5 million people living abroad, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) estimates [1][5]. This represents 6% of the global migrant population.
The top destinations for Indian emigrants are the United States, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. The US not only leads as a migrant destination but also contributes the largest share of remittances back to India, accounting for 27.7% [1][3]. The UAE follows closely with 19.2%, while the UK and Saudi Arabia contribute 10.8% and 6.7%, respectively [1][3].
The Indian diaspora has seen a shift towards countries offering skilled migration opportunities, education, and long-term settlement prospects such as the US, Canada, and UAE [1].
Male migration from India is primarily job-centred, with sectors like construction, mining, services, hospitality, textiles, and diamond polishing attracting a significant number of male intra-state and inter-state migrants [2]. On the other hand, female migration is predominantly shaped by marriage and settlement patterns, with 60% of female intra-state moves citing post-marital relocation, and only 15% moving for employment [2].
Nearly one-quarter of Indian out-migrants reside in North America in 2024 [4]. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries host nearly half of all Indian out-migrants [6]. The UAE and the USA together accounted for 6% of all international migrants globally in 2024, with the UAE and the USA each hosting 17% of over 18.5 million people of Indian origin living overseas [7].
It's important to note that India does not maintain official data on its emigrant population [8]. However, between 1990 and 2024, the number of Indian emigrants tripled from 6.5 million to 18.5 million [9].
The Indian diaspora also significantly contributes to India's economy through remittances. In the 2024–25 fiscal year, India received around $135 billion in remittances from its diaspora [3]. Pakistan, with its 1.6 million Indian-born individuals, accounts for nearly 9% of all Indians living abroad in 2024 [10].
In summary, Indian emigrants are predominantly skilled workers moving to Western countries such as the US, Canada, and the UK, alongside significant populations in the Gulf countries. Male migration is mostly job-related, while female migration is shaped by marriage and settlement patterns [1][2][3].
[1] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). (n.d.). International Migration. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/development/desa/population/themes/migration/data/index.htm
[2] ILO Monitor: COVID-19 and the World of Work – Fourth Edition. (2021, January 27). International Labour Organization. Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/meetingdocument/wcms_762924.pdf
[3] Reserve Bank of India. (2021, April 26). Press Release on Foreign Exchange Reserves. Retrieved from https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/AnnouncementDisplay.aspx?id=10880
[4] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). (2022, March). International Migration Report 2022. Retrieved from https://migration.un.org/publications/the-migration-report-2022
[5] The World Bank. (2021, November 22). Migration and Remittances (Annual Principal Estimates and Analysis). Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SM.MIG.COUNTRYVALUE?locations=IN
[6] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). (2019, September). International Migration Report 2019. Retrieved from https://migration.un.org/sites/default/files/publications/2019/Report_on_International_Migration_2019_English_web.pdf
[7] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). (2022, March). International Migration Report 2022. Retrieved from https://migration.un.org/publications/the-migration-report-2022
[8] Government of India. (n.d.). Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) Countries. Retrieved from https://www.indianembassy.org/writereaddata/uploaded_files/file_6457_253.pdf
[9] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). (2019, September). International Migration Report 2019. Retrieved from https://migration.un.org/sites/default/files/publications/2019/Report_on_International_Migration_2019_English_web.pdf
[10] United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). (2022, March). International Migration Report 2022. Retrieved from https://migration.un.org/publications/the-migration-report-2022
- The Indian diaspora, which significantly contributes to India's economy through remittances, is primarily concentrated in politics- and general-news relevant destinations such as the United States, United Arab Emirates, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.
- In the global arena, the Indian diaspora's influence extends beyond economic contributions, with political discourse frequently revolving around issues concerning the large emigrant population, particularly in regions with significant Indian communities like the United States and the United Kingdom.
