Saudi Arabia, US, Canada and Gulf Nations Lead Growth in Overseas Indian Population
TL;DR
The Indian diaspora has grown consistently over the past decade, driven primarily by an increase in Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who are migrating for work and educational opportunities. The United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Saudi Arabia have seen the largest recent increase in their Indian populations.
Context
A Non-Resident Indian or an NRI is an Indian citizen who lives outside India for at least 182 days in a financial year for purposes like employment or education. They hold an Indian passport and can vote in Indian elections. A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) is a person of Indian descent who is a citizen of another country. They hold a foreign passport and do not have voting rights in India. The key difference is legal citizenship.
Who compiles this data?
The data on the global Indian population is compiled by the Diaspora Engagement Division under the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. This body is responsible for tracking and compiling statistics on the distribution and growth of the Indian diaspora.
Where can I download clean & structured data related to Indian diaspora?
Clean, structured, and ready-to-use datasets on country-wise population of overseas Indians abroad including Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origins can be downloaded from Dataful. This has been collated from multiple sources such as Parliament Responses, Press Releases, and RTI Responses. Currently, the data is available for the following reference points- May 2012, January 2015, December 2018, March 2022, October 2023, and January 2025.
Key Insights
- The total number of overseas Indians has grown consistently over the past decade, from about 161.8 lakhs in 2012 to 343.6 lakhs in 2025. This increase is largely driven by a significant surge in NRIs whose population has grown by over 70% during this period. The PIO population also increased by about 45% during this period.
- The Middle East remains a primary destination for NRIs. On average, 1 in 5 NRIs is in Saudi Arabia. Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman together account for at least one-third of the NRIs in each of the years.
- The NRI population in Canada has seen an unprecedented rise since 2018, increasing from 1.84 lakhs in 2015 to over 17.5 lakhs in 2025. The US also shows strong growth across both NRI and PIO categories.
- The overall global PIO population has been relatively stable, with a slight recent decline. Notably, the number of PIOs in the United Kingdom and South Africa has decreased significantly in recent years. This contrasts with the strong growth of the PIO population in the United States and Canada.
Why Does It Matter?
Understanding these trends is crucial for both India and the host countries. The increasing number of NRIs highlights the importance of migration for employment and the flow of remittances, which are a vital source of foreign exchange for India. For instance, the growth in skilled professional migration to Western countries like the United States and Canada reinforces the Indian diaspora’s role as a source of talent and a key link to global networks in technology and business. These insights can inform policy-making related to diaspora engagement, immigration, and economic partnerships.
Key numbers
- Total Overseas Indians: 3.43 Crores (as of January 2025)
- Growth of the Diaspora: 20.7% increase between 2015 and 2025
- Largest NRI Population: Saudi Arabia (27.47 Lakhs)
- Largest PIO Population: USA (37.75 Lakhs)