Indian Population in GCC: UAE Leads With Over 3.5 Million Residents, Reveals India Minister

The number of Indians residing in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has nine million, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, informed Indian Parliament recently.

Indians work in various sectors, ranging from highly skilled roles in fintech, healthcare, IT, engineering, and banking to blue-collar jobs like cleaners, ma, electricians, and plumbers, the Minister stated.

Within the GCC nations, the UAE is the most preferred destination for Indian job seekers. The UAE hosts 3.55 million Indians. Saudi Arabia follows with 2.64 million Indian residents. Singh provided these figures while responding to questions from Lok Sabha members. Kuwait accommodates one million Indians. Other GCC countries have Indian populations only in six figures.

India issued emigration clearance to 180,000 citizens by June 30 this year for employment in countries requiring such clearance under Indian regulations.

This half-year figure is comparable to the 398,000 emigration clearances issued for the entire year of 2023. Emigration clearance is mandatory for Indians with educational qualifications below class 10. Certain professions like nursing also need this clearance for overseas employment.

India plays a significant role in supplying skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled labour to the global market. A key aspect of this migration is the India-Gulf corridor. The Gulf region has been a primary destination for Indian workers since the 1970s oil boom.

The migration of Indian workers to the Gulf began to rise significantly during the 1970s. The discovery of oil in the Gulf led to an economic boom, creating numerous job opportunities. This period marked the start of a large-scale movement of Indian labourers seeking better employment prospects abroad.

Policies play a crucial role in shaping migration patterns between India and the Gulf. Both regions have implemented various regulations to manage and facilitate this movement. These policies aim to protect workers' rights while ensuring that labour demands are met efficiently.

Government policies in both India and Gulf countries have significantly influenced migration flows. Regulations are designed to balance the need for labour with protections for migrant workers. These measures ensure that migration benefits both sending and receiving countries.