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RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1996
ANSWERED ON- 12/12/2024
EXPATRIATES IN GCC COUNTRIES
1996. SHRI SANDOSH KUMAR P
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the total number of Indians working in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as of 31st October, 2024;
(b) the State-wise list of Indian expatriates working in GCC countries as of 31st October, 2024; and
(c) the total number of unskilled workers in GCC countries as of 31st October, 2024?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a to c) A large number of skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers from India are employed in various sectors in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries. As per the latest information available with our Missions/Posts in the GCC countries, the estimated number of Indians residing in these countries is as follows:
Table Title
|
Sr. No. |
Country |
Estimated number of Indians |
| 1. |
United Arab Emirates |
38,90,000 |
| 2. |
Saudi Arabia |
26,45,302 |
| 3. |
Kuwait |
10,09,211 |
| 4. |
Qatar |
8,30,491 |
| 5. |
Oman |
6,64,783 |
| 6. |
Bahrain |
3,32,289 |
|
Total |
93,72,076 |
The Ministry maintains state-wise data in respect of Indian workers, holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports, which also includes unskilled, semiskilled and skilled workers, proceeding for overseas employment through e-Migrate portal to any of the 18 notified ECR countries, including GCC countries. The state-wise data of Emigration Clearance (EC) granted to these Indian workers till October 2024 is enclosed as Annexure
.