People have been crossing borders for centuries, and currently, the numbers are the highest. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs states that there are approximately 281 million international migrants around the world. This translates to about 3.5% of the world's population, which is a significant increase from 2.8% in 2000.

India, now the world's most populous country with a population of 1.4286 billion (142.86 crores) as per the UNFPA 2023 report, has emerged as the leading nation for emigration. The UN World Migration Report 2024 highlights that nearly 18 million international migrants are of Indian origin, making India the single largest source of migrants globally.

According to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of overseas Indians has been at approximately 35.42 million as of May 2024. These are composed of:

15.85 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

19.57 million People of Indian Origin (PIOs)

Where do most Indians live? Top 10 countries 

The United States is at the top of the list with the largest population of Indians at 5.4 million. This accounts for 1.6% of the U.S. population of 345 million. Indians in America have progressed remarkably, especially in leadership positions. More than 20 CEOs of Indian origin head Fortune 500 companies today. Among them, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet, and Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, are prominent leaders of global technology giants.

South and Middle East: 

Many Indians live in other South and Southwest Asia country regions, including Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Singapore. These economies appeal to migrants because they show signs of economic expansion along with education.

 Ofcourse, the Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabians, and Kuwait have continuously been the favorite destinations among workers from India. Good investment policies and opportunities within regions attract a large group of Indian workforce.

Asia Pacific 

The Asia-Pacific region remains one of the areas from which there is consistent movement from India to Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore, who are on the lookout for better career prospects and higher education opportunities.

India's colossal diaspora reflects the country's increasing global influence. From the corporate boardrooms to cultural contributions, Indians across the globe have been shaping industries, economies, and societies. Indians abroad now number over 35 million, making India's diaspora the biggest and one of the most influential communities globally.

Rank Country Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) Overseas Indian
1 USA 2,077,158 3,331,904 5,409,062 (5.4M)
2 UAE 3,554,274 14,574 3,568,848 (3.6M)
3 Malaysia 163,127 2,751,000 2,914,127 (2.9M)
4 Canada 1,016,274 1,859,680 2,875,954 (2.8M)
5 Saudi Arabia 2,460,603 2,906 2,463,509 (2.5M)
6 Myanmar 2,660 2,000,000 2,002,660 (2.0M)
7 UK 369,000 1,495,318 1,864,318 (1.9M)
8 South Africa 60,000 1,640,000 1,700,000 (1.7M)
9 Sri Lanka 7,500 1,600,000 1,607,500 (1.6M)
10 Kuwait 993,284 2,244 995,528 (996K)

[Source - The Indian Express]