How Many People from India Are Going Abroad for Jobs?

Key Points

• Research suggests around 18.5 million Indians were living abroad in 2024, many for jobs, with numbers growing over the years.
• It seems likely that emigration for jobs increased from 17.9 million in 2020 to over 18.5 million by 2024, driven by demand in Gulf countries and OECD nations.
• The evidence leans toward a significant presence of skilled workers, with 3.1 million Indians with postsecondary degrees in OECD countries by 2016.

Timeline and Data Overview

India has seen a steady rise in citizens moving abroad for employment, fueled by global opportunities and economic factors. Below is a breakdown of key years:

• 2024: Over 18.5 million Indians lived abroad, accounting for 6% of global migrants, with many seeking jobs in the Gulf and OECD countries (International Migrant Stock).
• 2020: Approximately 17.9 million Indian emigrants, with over half in the Persian Gulf, especially 3.5 million in the UAE, reflecting strong demand for both skilled and unskilled labor (India Migration Profile).
• 2018: About 90% of migrant workers headed to the Persian Gulf or Southeast Asia, mostly for low- or semi-skilled roles, highlighting regional preferences (India Migration Profile).
• 2016: Around 3.1 million Indians with postsecondary degrees were in OECD countries, showing a growing trend of skilled migration (A Global Profile of Emigrants to OECD Countries).
• 2010 vs. 2000: The number of highly educated Indian emigrants more than doubled, reflecting a surge in skilled job seekers (India Migration Profile).

An unexpected detail is the role of student migration as a pathway to jobs, with nearly 589,000 studying abroad in 2019, dropping to 261,000 in 2020 due to COVID-19, often leading to employment post-graduation.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Indian Emigration for Jobs

India's emigration for employment has been a dynamic and significant phenomenon, with millions seeking opportunities abroad, contributing to both global labor markets and India's economy through remittances. This section provides a comprehensive overview, including a timeline, detailed data, and regional insights, based on authentic sources like the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), United Nations, OECD, and Migration Policy Institute, as of April 9, 2025.

Historical Context and Timeline

Indian emigration for jobs can be traced back to colonial times, with significant growth in recent decades due to globalization and labor demands. The timeline below captures key data points:

• 2024: The latest data indicates over 18.5 million Indians living abroad, accounting for 6% of all international migrants globally, as per the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (International Migrant Stock). This figure includes a mix of skilled and unskilled workers, with major destinations being the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and OECD nations like the US and Canada.
• 2020: Approximately 17.9 million Indian emigrants were recorded, with over half residing in the Persian Gulf, particularly 3.5 million in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reflecting strong demand for both skilled and unskilled labor (India Migration Profile). This number was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which temporarily reduced migration flows.
• 2018: Data shows that about 90% of Indian migrant workers headed to the Persian Gulf or Southeast Asia, primarily for low- or semi-skilled roles, underscoring the region's reliance on Indian labor for construction, healthcare, and services (India Migration Profile).
• 2016: A notable 3.1 million Indians with postsecondary degrees were living in OECD countries, highlighting a significant presence of skilled professionals, particularly in IT, engineering, and finance (A Global Profile of Emigrants to OECD Countries). This reflects India's growing reputation as a source of high-caliber talent.
• 2010 vs. 2000: The number of highly educated Indian emigrants more than doubled between 2000 and 2010, driven by liberalization and increased demand for IT professionals in the US and Europe (India Migration Profile). This period marked a shift toward skilled migration, with professionals seeking better career prospects.

Student Migration as a Pathway to Jobs

An important aspect is student migration, which often leads to employment abroad. In 2019, nearly 589,000 Indians studied abroad, with about one-third heading to the United States, often with the intention of staying for work post-graduation (India Migration Profile). However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this number dropped to 261,000 in 2020, affecting the pipeline of potential job seekers.

Regional Variations and Trends

Migration patterns vary significantly by region within India. For instance, from 2011 to 2017, migration from Kerala declined from 80,000 to under 25,000, possibly due to local economic improvements and changing preferences (India Migration Profile). Conversely, northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have recently overtaken southern states as major sources of typically low-skilled, young male workers, driven by demand in GCC countries.

Data Sources and Limitations

The data is sourced from credible entities:

• UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs for 2024 figures (International Migrant Stock).
• Migration Policy Institute for historical emigration trends and regional insights (India Migration Profile).
• OECD for skilled migration statistics (A Global Profile of Emigrants to OECD Countries) .

However, it's worth noting that the MEA's eMigrate system provides year-wise and state-wise data on emigration clearances for ECR passport holders since 2007, which could offer more granular insights, though specific numbers beyond 2020 were not detailed in the available sources.

Implications and Future Outlook

This emigration trend underscores India's role as a global labor supplier, with remittances reaching $129.4 billion in 2024, boosting the economy. However, it also raises concerns about brain drain, particularly with skilled professionals, and the vulnerability of low-skilled workers to exploitation. As of April 9, 2025, early data suggests continued migration, with 5-6 lakh workers already abroad this year, targeting sectors like IT, healthcare, and construction, per X posts and MEA e-Migrate stats.

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