From construction sites to boardrooms, 35 mln foreign workers in GCC form the backbone of region’s economy

2026-03-10 - 08:57

The six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — are home to nearly 62 million people, more than half of whom are foreign workers. These 35 million expatriates form the backbone of the region’s economic, industrial, and social infrastructure, fueling both daily life and large-scale development projects across the Gulf. Known for offering economic opportunities unmatched in the wider region, the GCC has long attracted laborers, professionals, and skilled specialists from around the world. From construction sites to hospitals, offices to airports, foreign workers are instrumental in sustaining the region’s modern infrastructure and its ambitious vision for the future, reports Al-Jazeera daily. South Asia Leads the Migration Wave According to data compiled by news reports, the majority of expatriates in the GCC come from South Asia, with smaller but significant communities from the Middle East and Africa. The ten largest foreign communities across the GCC are: India: 9.1 million Bangladesh: 5 million Pakistan: 4.9 million Egypt: 3.3 million Philippines: 2.2 million Yemen: 2.2 million Sudan: 1.1 million Nepal: 1.2 million Syria: 694,000 Sri Lanka: 650,000 Country Profiles and Expat Populations Saudi Arabia: With 37 million residents, foreign workers account for nearly 16.4 million, concentrated among communities from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Yemen, and Egypt. United Arab Emirates: Expatriates dominate the population at 88 percent, with over 4.3 million Indians, nearly 2 million Pakistanis, and large groups from Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Iran. Kuwait: Of 4.8 million residents, roughly 2.16 million are non-nationals, mainly from India, Egypt, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Oman: Foreigners make up 41 percent of the population, with India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, and the Philippines being the largest expatriate groups. Qatar: Around 88 percent of the population is expatriate, including 700,000 Indians, 400,000 Bangladeshis, and sizeable communities from Nepal, Egypt, and the Philippines. Bahrain: About half the population is non-national, led by Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Filipino, and Egyptian communities. Beyond Labor: The Skilled Expatriate Contribution While large numbers of foreign workers are employed in labor-intensive sectors, highly skilled expatriates also play a vital role in banking, finance, technology, aviation, medicine, media, and government services. Many have made the Gulf their home, contributing to knowledge transfer, innovation, and global business integration. According to experts the demographic composition of the GCC — heavily reliant on expatriate labor — is both an opportunity and a challenge. Governments must balance economic growth with social cohesion, ensure fair labor practices, and prepare for potential regional instability that could affect millions of residents. As the GCC navigates geopolitical tensions and ambitious development goals, the role of its 35 million foreign residents remains more critical than ever. They are not just workers; they are integral to the region’s economy, culture, and social fabric.