Recent Trend and Pattern of Indian Emigration to Gulf Countries: A Diaspora Perspective

Naresh Kumar, Central University of Gujarat

According to the latest estimation of Government of India approximately 6 million Indians are working in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) states. They are mainly engaged in unskilled, semi-skilled profession. Remittances sent by the migrants are playing very crucial role in the local economies of many Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat. India stands first rank in terms of highest absolute remittances ($ 63.5 billion) in world. Its contributed near around 4 per cent of the Indian GDP in 2011-2012 . Almost 60 per cent of remittances received by India are coming from Middle East or Gulf Countries. The main objective of this paper is to discuss the recent trend and pattern of migration from India to the GCC countries and its impact on the local as well as nation development at the place of emigrants household.