The indian diaspora is the largest in the world—over 3.43 crore strong, scattered across 207 nations. But here’s the twist: half of them live in just 10 countries. And the nation that tops the list? It’s not the one you’re probably guessing. Let’s break down the global puzzle.
1. The Power of 3.43 Crore indians Abroad ✈️
The diaspora is split almost equally: 1.71 crore Persons of indian Origin (PIOs) and 1.71 crore Non-Resident indians (NRIs).
Together, they fuel economies, politics, and culture across continents.
2. The Surprise Leader—United States 🇺🇸
With 56.9 lakh Indians, the US isn’t just about Silicon Valley—it’s the largest hub of overseas Indians.
Think tech CEOs, Wall Street bankers, doctors, and desi cultural festivals—it’s india 2.0.
3. The gulf Magnet 🌴
UAE (38.9 lakh), saudi arabia (27.5 lakh), and kuwait (10.1 lakh) together attract 76.5 lakh Indians.
From construction workers to billionaires, indians are the backbone of the gulf economy.
4. The Commonwealth Connection 🇨🇦🇬🇧
canada (36.1 lakh), the UK (13.4 lakh), and the US together house nearly 66 lakh Indians.
In canada alone, punjabi has become the third most spoken language.
5. Neighbourhood Surprise—Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
Often overlooked, sri lanka actually has 16.1 lakh Indians.
A mix of historic migration and modern ties keeps the bond alive.
6. South Africa’s Legacy 🇿🇦
With 13.9 lakh Indians, south africa hosts one of the oldest overseas indian communities, dating back to indentured laborers of the 19th century.
Fun fact: It’s the land where gandhi began his fight for justice.
7. Smaller Nations, Big Numbers 🌴
Mauritius (8.9 lakh), fiji (3.1 lakh), Trinidad & Tobago (5.4 lakh), guyana (3.2 lakh), suriname (1.8 lakh), Reunion Island (3 lakh)—tiny places with massive indian footprints.
These countries have entire elections shaped by Indian-origin citizens.
8. The Remittance Superpower 💵
According to the RBI, the diaspora sent home $130 billion in 2024-25.
That’s a 14% jump in just a year—making india the world’s No. 1 remittance receiver.
🔥 The Bottomline: The indian diaspora isn’t just scattered—it’s strategic. From Wall Street to the Gulf’s oilfields, from London’s politics to Fiji’s beaches, indians abroad are shaping economies everywhere. And the biggest shock? Half of them are clustered in just 10 countries.
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