Where do the 35 million foreigners living in the GCC come from?

"Generations of foreign workers in the GCC countries have significantly contributed to the workforce, including labourers, construction workers, household staff, security personnel, and cleaners, all vital to building the modern infrastructures that Gulf nations are known for. Millions consider the Gulf their home, despite holding nationalities from other countries."

"With the exception of Saudi Arabia and Oman, foreign workers make up the bulk of the populations of people living in the remaining four GCC countries. Known for their economic opportunities, these countries collectively host nearly 35 million foreign workers from around the world, predominantly from South Asia."

"Highly skilled foreign workers have a long history in industries such as banking, finance, technology, engineering, aviation, medicine and the media. The 10 largest groups of non-nationals living across the six GCC countries are from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Philippines, Yemen, Sudan, Nepal, Syria, and Sri Lanka."

The six GCC countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—host approximately 62 million people, with nearly 35 million being foreign workers. Except for Saudi Arabia and Oman, foreign workers constitute the majority of populations in the remaining four countries. These workers, predominantly from South Asia, fill essential roles as laborers, construction workers, household staff, security personnel, and cleaners, while also contributing significantly to skilled sectors including banking, finance, technology, engineering, aviation, medicine, and media. The largest non-national groups originate from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Philippines, Yemen, Sudan, Nepal, Syria, and Sri Lanka, with millions considering the Gulf their permanent home despite holding foreign nationalities.

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