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

The region, long seen as a hub of opportunity, is now experiencing uncertainty as geopolitical tensions rise. Nearly 62 million people living across the GCC are suffering from the broader impact of the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, and foreign workers make up a significant portion of this population.Indians constitute the largest expatriate group across the GCC, with approximately 9.1 million people living and working in the region, the highest proportion among all nationalities.The Gulf Cooperation Council bloc, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, has built much of its economic power on migrant labor. Out of a total population of about 62 million, approximately 35 million are foreign workers, many of them from South Asia.

In many countries, expatriates far outnumber citizens.According to the Al Jazeera report, the largest expatriate communities across the GCC are:

These workers are found in every layer of the economy. Many work in construction, domestic work, security and cleaning jobs that support daily life. Meanwhile, a large number of skilled professionals work in sectors such as banking and finance, technology, engineering, aviation, healthcare and media.

For many expatriates, the Gulf has become a long-term home despite holding foreign nationality.Country data also show how deep the presence of migrant workers is in the region.The population of Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Gulf Cooperation Council, is about 37 million people. About 20.5 million citizens, while 16.4 million residents are foreigners. The largest expatriate groups include:

The population of the UAE is about 11.5 million, of which expatriates make up about 88 percent and citizens about 12 percent. Its largest foreign communities are:

The population of Kuwait is approximately 4.8 million people. Among them are about 1.56 million citizens and 3.3 million expatriates. Major foreign groups include:

The population of Oman is about 4.7 million people, including about 2.5 million citizens and 2.05 million foreign workers. The largest expatriate communities are:

The population of Qatar is about 3.2 million people, including about 2.87 million foreign workers, or 88%, while the number of citizens is about 330 thousand people. The main expatriate groups are:

Bahrain, the smallest country in the Gulf Cooperation Council, has a population of about 1.58 million. Citizens make up just under half, while expatriates make up a large percentage. Major foreign communities include:

Dependence on migrant workers in the Gulf is due to structural factors.

The region’s rapid economic growth, driven largely by oil revenues, has created immediate and sustained demand for labor in sectors such as construction, transportation and services. At the same time, the local population in these countries has remained relatively small, making it difficult to meet this demand locally.Over the years, this gap has been filled by foreign workers, who now make up a large proportion of the workforce. According to the International Labor Organization, migrant workers make up between 76% and 95% of the workforce in the GCC countries, especially in sectors such as construction and domestic work, where their presence is almost universal.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, which are perceived as more stable and better paying. This dynamic has led to a system in which migrant labor is not temporary, but deeply embedded in how Gulf economies function.Across the GCC, migrant workers remain a key component of economic activity. From building infrastructure to running basic services and contributing to specialized industries, their role is deeply rooted in the region’s growth story. As tensions continue to escalate, the impact on this large and diverse population remains significant.