Over 50% of GCC’s population are expats, with Indians leading at 9.1 million and Bangladeshis at 5 million
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· India's bilateral relations· Prelims·
Why in news
The GCC region faces economic uncertainty due to the US-Israel war on Iran, impacting a migrant-heavy workforce where Indians are the largest expatriate group.
Background
The GCC region has a population of nearly 62 million, with over 50% being expatriates. Indians constitute the largest expat group with 9.1 million people, followed by Bangladeshis with 5 million.
Facts for Prelims
- FactIndians are the largest expatriate group in the GCC with 9.1 million people.
- FactBangladeshis are the second-largest expatriate group in the GCC with 5 million people.
- FactMigrant workers comprise between 76 percent and 95 percent of the labour force in GCC countries according to the ILO.
- BodyThe International Labour Organization (ILO) reported the migrant labor statistics.
For Mains
Q. Analyze the impact of geopolitical instability in the Gulf region on the economic stability of South Asian labor-exporting nations.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Labor dependency: High reliance on migrant labor creates vulnerability to regional geopolitical shocks
- Economic integration: Impact of GCC instability on remittance-dependent economies in India and Bangladesh
Keywords: Expatriate labor · Geopolitical risk · Remittance economy · Labor migration · GCC region
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