More than 50% of the GCC population are expatriates, with 9.1 million Indians and 5 million Bangladeshis | World News

A region long seen as a center of opportunity is now facing uncertainty as geopolitical tensions escalate. Foreign workers make up a large portion of the nearly 62 million people in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries affected by the broader impact of the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran.Indians are the largest expatriate group in the GCC region, with approximately 9.1 million people living and working in the region, the largest of any ethnic group.The GCC bloc, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar, relies heavily on migrant labor for its economic strength. Of the total population of nearly 62 million, nearly 35 million are foreign workers, many from South Asia. In some countries, expats far outnumber citizens.according to a report Al Jazeerathe largest expat communities in the GCC are:

These workers are found at every level of the economy. Many people work in construction, housekeeping, security and cleaning jobs that support daily life. At the same time, a large number of highly skilled professionals work in fields such as banking, finance, technology, engineering, aviation, healthcare and media. For many expats, the Gulf region has become their long-term home, despite their foreign citizenship.Country-by-country data further illustrates the deep roots of migrant labor in the region.Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Gulf Cooperation Council, with a population of nearly 37 million. Approximately 20.5 million people are citizens and 16.4 million are foreign residents. The largest groups of expats include:

The United Arab Emirates has a population of approximately 11.5 million, of which foreigners account for nearly 88% and citizens account for approximately 12%. Its largest foreign communities are:

Kuwait’s population is approximately 4.8 million. Among them, about 1.56 million are citizens and 3.3 million are foreigners. Major foreign groups include:

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

There are approximately 3.2 million people in Qatar, of which foreign workers account for approximately 2.87 million, or 88%, while the number of citizens is approximately 330,000. The main expat groups are:

Bahrain is the smallest country in the Gulf Cooperation Council, with a population of approximately 1.58 million. Citizens make up less than half, with expatriates making up a large portion. Major expat communities include:

The Gulf region’s reliance on migrant workers stems from structural factors. The region’s rapid economic growth, driven largely by oil revenues, creates direct and ongoing demand for labor in industries such as construction, transportation and services. At the same time, the local populations in these countries remain relatively small, making it difficult to meet this domestic demand.Over the years, this gap has been filled by foreign workers, who now make up a large portion of the workforce. according to international labor organization According to the International Labor Organization, migrant workers make up 76% to 95% of the workforce in GCC countries, especially in fields such as construction and domestic work, where migrant workers are almost everywhere.The private sector, in particular, relies heavily on expatriates. Employers often prefer foreign workers due to lower wage expectations and greater hiring flexibility. At the same time, many citizens tend to choose government jobs because they are considered more stable and pay better. This dynamic has resulted in a system in which migrant labor is not temporary but deeply embedded in the way Gulf economies function.Across the GCC, migrant workers remain at the heart of economic activity. From building infrastructure to running key services to contributing to specialist industries, their role is deeply embedded in the region’s development story. As tensions continue to spread, the impact on this large and diverse population remains high.