Indians lead GCC population with 9.1 million expats, Bangladeshis at 5 million

A region long seen as a hub of opportunity is now navigating uncertainty as geopolitical tensions escalate. Nearly 62 million people living across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are caught in the broader impact of the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, with foreign workers forming a significant part of this population.Indians form the largest expatriate group across the GCC, with around 9.1 million people living and working in the region, the highest among all nationalities.The GCC bloc, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar has built much of its economic strength on migrant labour. Out of the total population of nearly 62 million, close to 35 million are foreign workers, many from South Asia.

In several countries, expatriates outnumber citizens by a wide margin.According to a report by Al Jazeera, the largest expatriate communities across the GCC are:

These workers are present across every layer of the economy. Many are employed in construction, domestic work, security and cleaning roles that support daily life. At the same time, a large number of skilled professionals work in sectors such as banking, finance, technology, engineering, aviation, healthcare and media.

For many expatriates, the Gulf has become a long-term home despite holding foreign citizenship.Country-wise data further shows how deeply migrant labour is embedded in the region.Saudi Arabia, the largest GCC country, has a population of nearly 37 million. Around 20.5 million are citizens, while 16.4 million are foreign residents. The biggest expatriate groups include:

The United Arab Emirates has a population of about 11.5 million, with expatriates making up nearly 88 percent and citizens around 12 percent. Its largest foreign communities are:

Kuwait’s population stands at around 4.8 million. Of this, about 1.56 million are citizens and 3.3 million are expatriates. The main foreign groups include:

Oman has a population of approximately 4.7 million, with around 2.5 million citizens and 2.05 million foreign workers. The largest expatriate communities are:

Qatar has about 3.2 million people, with foreign workers making up roughly 2.87 million, or 88 percent, while citizens number around 330,000. The key expatriate groups are:

Bahrain, the smallest GCC country, has a population of around 1.58 million. Citizens make up just under half, with expatriates forming a large share. The main foreign communities include:

The reliance on migrant workers in the Gulf is rooted in structural factors.

The region’s rapid economic growth, driven largely by oil revenues, created an immediate and sustained demand for labour across sectors such as construction, transport and services. At the same time, local populations in these countries remained relatively small, making it difficult to meet this demand domestically.Over the years, this gap was filled by foreign workers, who now form a significant share of the workforce. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), migrant workers make up between 76 percent and 95 percent of the labour force in GCC countries, particularly in sectors such as construction and domestic work, where their presence is nearly universal.The private sector, in particular, depends heavily on expatriates. Employers often prefer foreign workers due to lower wage expectations and greater flexibility in hiring. Meanwhile, many citizens tend to opt for government jobs, which are seen as more stable and better paying. This dynamic has led to a system where migrant labour is not temporary but deeply embedded in how Gulf economies function.Across the GCC, migrant workers remain central to economic activity. From building infrastructure to running key services and contributing to specialised industries, their role is deeply embedded in the region’s growth story. As tensions continue to unfold, the impact on this vast and diverse population remains significant.