Countries with the highest population of the Indian diaspora

From bustling metropolises like New York and London to cultural hubs like Kuala Lumpur and Durban, Indians have left their mark on economies, politics, and societies worldwide. Whether as tech pioneers in Silicon Valley, entrepreneurs in Dubai, or long-established communities in Africa and the Caribbean, the global Indian community continues to thrive and shape the world. Here’s a look at the countries with the highest population of the Indian diaspora.

As per reports, there are approximately 5.4 million people of Indian origin residing in the U.S. This makes the US the country with the largest Indian diaspora. This population includes both Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), and they find themselves in sectors like technology, business, and politics. Many Indians move to the US for their further education as well.

Places like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah are places where you will find many people of Indian origin. The country as a whole hosts around 3.5 million Indians, making it the second-largest Indian diaspora globally.

With about 2.9 million people, Malaysia ranks third. The Indian community, primarily of Tamil descent, has a strong presence in trade, commerce, and education, reflecting historical migration patterns.

There is no doubt that Canada is one of the most sought-after countries. The country is home to approximately 2.8 million Indians! Cities like Toronto and Vancouver are famous for being multicultural, and these are some of the many places where the Indian diaspora thrives.

With around 2.5 million Indians residing in Saudi Arabia, the country, for many, feels like home. The majority of the Indians in Saudi Arabia work in construction, healthcare, and IT.

Myanmar has an Indian diaspora of about 2 million, largely a result of historical migration during the colonial era, with many engaged in trade and agriculture. The country has a large number of Tamils, residing in the country since the early 19th century. Explore the country to find smaller communities of Telugus, Bengalis, Hindi speakers, Gujaratis, and Punjabis.

The UK hosts approximately 1.8 million people of Indian origin, with active participation in the fields of education, business, politics, and healthcare.

With around 1.7 million Indians, South Africa’s diaspora traces back to indentured laborers brought during the colonial era. They play a significant role in the country’s cultural and political landscape.

Sri Lanka has about 1.6 million people of Indian origin, primarily Tamils, whose presence stems from historical labor migration to plantations. With similar cultural practices, for many Indians, Sri Lanka feels like a second home.

Kuwait rounds out the top ten with nearly 1 million Indians, mostly working in skilled and semi-skilled sectors like construction and services.