Why More Indian Citizens Are Choosing Gulf Countries Over Staying Home

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Photo : Economic Times

In recent years, a significant shift has been observed in the migration patterns of Indian citizens, with an increasing number opting to move to Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. This trend reflects a complex blend of economic, social, and political factors driving Indians to seek opportunities abroad rather than staying within their home country.

Migration by the Numbers

According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, 8.8 million of the 10.34 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) globally reside in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, an astounding 85% concentration in the region.

• The UAE leads with 3.41 million Indians, followed by 2.59 million in Saudi Arabia, 1.02 million in Kuwait, 740,000 in Qatar, 700,000 in Oman, and 320,000 in Bahrain.
• Though Gulf NRIs make up only around 27% of India’s 35.4 million-strong diaspora, they remit nearly 40% of India’s total remittances about $47.5 billion of the $118.7 billion sent home in FY 2023–24.
• On the higher end of the economic spectrum, the UAE is expected to attract 9,800 high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) in 2025, while India is projected to lose 3,500 millionaires the same year highlighting a growing preference among India’s wealthy for Gulf relocation.

Economic Aspirations and Better Wages

The Gulf region’s booming construction, healthcare, hospitality, and technology sectors offer wages that far exceed many equivalent positions in India. Indian workers especially from rural regions and small towns—are drawn to the opportunity to earn in foreign currencies like the dirham and riyal.

A report by Kerala’s Department of Non-Resident Keralite Affairs (NORKA) indicated that remittances contribute to nearly 30% of household income in several coastal districts, and migration remains one of the few reliable paths to upward mobility.

Limited Opportunities at Home

India’s domestic job market, while growing, remains saturated. Fresh graduates and semi-skilled workers face intense competition, and wage stagnation in the informal sector has added pressure. Even government job recruitment cycles have slowed in many states.

Dr. S. Irudaya Rajan, Chairman of the International Institute of Migration and Development, explains:

“People who go to work in the Gulf don’t plan to settle there, but work and bring money home… They are coming to make money and secure their future in India.”

Attraction of Gulf Lifestyles and Policies

Gulf nations offer streamlined visa processes, competitive wages, tax-free income, and modern infrastructure. The introduction of long-term residency programs like the UAE’s Golden Visa and Green Visa has further attracted skilled Indian professionals and entrepreneurs.

For example, Kerala nurses migrating to the UAE increased 3.3 times in 2023 compared to 2020, with state-run training centers now doubling their intake to prepare migrants for Gulf employment.

Pull from Gulf Labor Markets

Indian workers account for a significant portion of the labor force in infrastructure, healthcare, and domestic service sectors across the GCC. It is estimated that 70% of Indian migrants to the Gulf are blue-collar laborers aged 20–40. The region’s mega infrastructure and World Expo-scale projects continue to attract electricians, masons, drivers, and hospitality staff.

Economist Lant Pritchett noted in the Financial Times:

"If labor mobility increased between India and labor-scarce Gulf states, it could reduce the global economic cost of border restrictions by half."

Real Stories, Real Decisions

For many families, Gulf migration is a collective decision. A 25-year-old from Uttar Pradesh working in Doha shared:

“I earn three times what I could get in Kanpur, and I send half of it to my parents every month. My brother is planning to join me next year.”

This cycle often becomes generational, with communities building migration networks that guide and support new migrants.

Challenges Remain

Despite the appeal, many migrants face:

• Exploitative recruitment from unauthorized agents.
• Tough labor conditions, especially in sectors exposed to extreme heat and long hours.
• Lack of permanent residency or citizenship paths for most foreign workers.

To address these, Kerala’s NORKA has started conducting pre-departure training, including how to avoid fraud and understand contract rights. From 1,000 annual sessions a few years ago, they now conduct over 2,250 safe-migration workshops per year.

The Future Outlook

With India continuing to produce 2.5 million emigrants annually, and Gulf countries still reliant on foreign labor to power their economies, the India–Gulf migration corridor is only expected to grow. New economic agreements, visa relaxations, and Gulf diversification strategies (like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030) will likely create more spaces for Indian professionals and skilled workers.

However, as both sending and receiving countries evolve, policymakers will need to balance economic opportunity with safeguards for workers ensuring migration remains both profitable and humane.

Sources:

• Ministry of External Affairs
• Arab News
• Business Standard
• Gulf Daily Mail
• Financial Times
• The Guardian
• NORKA
• Kerala Migration Survey