New Delhi: The dynamics of the worldwide Indian diaspora have shifted dramatically, with the United States officially emerging as the country hosting the largest population of Indian people. New figures place the Indian community in the US at an impressive 5,409,062, moving ahead of the traditional Gulf leader, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The data highlights a significant trend of migration toward North America, driven largely by professional and educational opportunities. While the Gulf region remains crucial for Indian expatriates, the US and Canada have seen a rapid surge in their Indian-origin populations.
The Top Five Destinations
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), long considered the hub for Indian workers and families, now holds the second position with 3,568,848 Indian residents. The difference underscores the growing popularity of Western nations as long-term settlement destinations.
Rounding out the top five are:
- United States (5,409,062)
- United Arab Emirates (3,568,848)
- Malaysia (2,914,127)
- Canada (2,875,954)
- Saudi Arabia (2,463,509)
Notably, Canada is swiftly catching up, trailing Malaysia by only a few thousand, reflecting its welcoming immigration policies and strong economic pull.
Traditional and New Migration Corridors
The list further reveals the importance of historical migration paths. Countries like Myanmar (2,002,660), the United Kingdom (1,864,318), and South Africa (1,700,000) retain large Indian communities, established over centuries.
However, modern economic migration continues to define the rest of the top 30. Other significant concentrations of Indian expatriates include:
- Kuwait (995,528)
- Australia (976,000)
- Qatar (836,784)
- Oman (686,635)
The figures underscore the massive global footprint of the Indian diaspora, reaching every corner of the world, from the Caribbean nations like Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana to European countries like Germany, Netherlands, and Italy.
The data suggests a continued diversification of Indian emigration, moving from Gulf-centric labor migration towards highly skilled, family-settlement patterns primarily concentrated in North America and Oceania.
