The population of Indians living in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries has surpassed nine million, according to India's Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh. This growing diaspora reflects the diverse employment opportunities available in the region.
Indians in the GCC are employed across a wide range of professions. These include highly qualified roles in fintech, healthcare, information technology, engineering, and banking, as well as blue-collar jobs such as cleaners, maids, electricians, and plumbers.
The UAE remains the most popular destination for Indian job seekers within the GCC, hosting 3.55 million Indians. Following closely is Saudi Arabia, with 2.64 million Indian residents. Kuwait has one million Indians, while other GCC countries have Indian populations in the six figures.
India issued emigration clearance to 180,000 of its citizens in the first half of this year for employment in countries that require such clearance under Indian regulations. This 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 the 10th-grade level and for certain professions, such as nursing, to ensure their eligibility to work abroad.
The growing Indian diaspora in the GCC countries highlights the region's appeal as a hub for diverse job opportunities, catering to both skilled and unskilled workers. With the continued demand for Indian talent, the number of Indians living and working in the GCC is likely to increase further.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
