Current Indian Workforce in the Gulf


Indians represent a significant share of the foreign labor force in GCC countries:


  • United Arab Emirates (UAE): Over 3.5 million Indians (UAE Government Data, 2023)
  • Saudi Arabia: Approximately 2.6 million (Saudi Ministry of Labor, 2022)
  • Kuwait: Around 1 million
  • Qatar: About 750,000
  • Oman: Close to 600,000
  • Bahrain: Approximately 350,000

Indians are employed across various sectors including construction, healthcare, hospitality, information technology, retail, and oil and gas. The diversity of employment spans from skilled professionals to semi-skilled and unskilled workers (ILO Report, 2023).


Drivers Behind the Gulf Migration Trend

Economic Opportunity and Tax Benefits

The Gulf’s tax-free income and relatively high wages compared to India make it an attractive destination. For many Indian workers, particularly from states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, migration offers financial upliftment and the chance to support families back home.

Sectoral Demand and Economic Diversification


Gulf economies are actively diversifying beyond oil through Vision 2030 initiatives (Saudi Arabia), UAE’s Innovation Strategy, and Qatar National Vision 2030. These reforms have created increasing demand for IT professionals, healthcare workers, engineers, and service sector employees (PwC Gulf Economic Outlook, 2024).


Skilled and Semi-skilled Labor Needs

Infrastructure mega-projects such as Saudi Arabia’s NEOM city development and UAE’s Expo 2020 legacy investments continue to require vast manpower, both skilled and unskilled (Gulf Labour Market Report, 2023).


Projected Growth in Indian Workforce in the Gulf (Next 5 Years)

Research by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and World Bank forecasts a steady increase in Indian expatriates in the Gulf over the next five years. Factors contributing to this growth include:


  • Increased government labor reforms improving worker rights and safety in GCC countries (Gulf Labor Reforms, ILO, 2023)
  • Growing demand in emerging sectors such as renewable energy, digital services, and healthcare
  • Expanded bilateral cooperation on labor agreements between India and Gulf countries

Estimates indicate the Indian expatriate workforce could grow from approximately 10 million today to 12-15 million by 2030, driven by both new employment demand and replacement of existing workers (World Bank Migration and Development Brief, 2023).

Strategic Role of Indian Workforce in Gulf Economies


Indians contribute significantly to the GDP and social fabric of Gulf countries. Beyond labor, Indian entrepreneurs and professionals play key roles in sectors like healthcare, finance, education, and technology startups. The Indian diaspora’s remittances to India also exceed $40 billion annually, underscoring their economic importance (Reserve Bank of India, 2023).


Gulf employers value Indian workers for their adaptability, skills, and cultural alignment, which strengthens the workforce ecosystem in a highly competitive regional labor market (GulfTalent Report, 2024).