India Has The Largest Number Of Migrants Living Across The Globe, We Now Have 15.6 Million NRIs

In the five-year period from 2010 to 2015, India displaced Russia as the country with the largest diaspora in the world, as per UN data on migrants for 2015.

While the UAE, with its job opportunities for all sections of people, tops as the preferred destination for India-born migrants, the US that lets in only highly qualified professional Indians, is today home to nearly 20 lakh people born in India.

Australia, which is on the other corner of the globe, comes high up on the list with 4 lakh Indians. Even tiny Bermuda hasn't escaped the attention of emigrating Indians. Some 500 Indians live there.

Between 1990 and 2010, Russia was topping the list of migrants but its diaspora was concentrated in a few countries like Israel.

Paradoxically enough, the spike in Indian migration happened after the country's economy moved into a high-growth path. In 2000, India equaled Russia in migrant outflow with 10.8 million each. Between 2000 and 2005, the number of migrants from India dipped by 0.3per cent but after 2005, the number has been increasing steadily.

The rate of migration has increased by half in last decade

Today, a total of 15.6 million people born in India are living across all continents. The rate of migration to foreign countries has increased by half compared to 10 years ago.

Observers see Indian migration as helping world economies. "Indian migrants to the US have been a great asset for the world. Their contribution to development of information technology has been useful to various sections. Similarly in Gulf countries, many Indians are in the managerial cadre and their contribution has been immensely appreciated," former diplomat G Parthasarathi.